Dr Mercia Spare - From 40 yrs in the NHS to Coach With a Mission - Accelerator Member Stories

In today’s episode, I had the joy of speaking with the incredible Dr. Mercia Spare.

Mercia is a former Chief Nurse with over 40 years in the NHS, including time in transplantation, infection control, national governance, and executive leadership. Her career spans everything from clinical practice to regulation and quality improvement—and now, she’s bringing that deep experience into coaching.

We talk about her extraordinary journey: from training as a nurse later in life, to being side-lined by a motorcycle accident, to becoming a PhD-qualified leader in health and social care.

Mercia now runs a coaching business that supports leaders across health, social care, research, and education—bringing her signature warmth and wisdom to folks making a difference.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

✅ How Mercia built a rich and varied 40-year NHS career—from the wards to the executive suite
✅ How a career-changing accident became an unexpected gift
✅ What led her to coaching and why it’s the perfect extension of her nursing career
✅ The power of relational leadership in high-pressure environments like health and social care
✅ How she’s building a purpose-led coaching business
✅ The mindset shift that helped her step into being a business owner
✅ Why she believes formal coaching training is essential—and what she learned about herself along the way
✅ How she’s making her business work by leaning into connection, curiosity, and asking for help Mercia’s story is a testament to lifelong growth, generous leadership, and backing yourself when the next chapter calls.

Connect with Mercia: 
💼 Find Dr. Mercia Spare on LinkedIn

Interested in building your own coaching business?

You can book a call with me to explore whether the Accelerator is a good fit.

🌐 More at elliescarf.com

Until next time!