Emmerline Irving

Emmerline Irving has been a dedicated advocate for public health and community development for over two decades. She began her career in 1997, working in Housing and local government, and became a qualified Youth and Community Worker in 2000. With a strong commitment to enhancing community well-being, she furthered her expertise by earning a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health and Health Promotion in 2007.

Emmerline's journey in public health began with the Kirklees Public Health Team, where she served as a Public Health Specialist. During her tenure, she led a diverse range of portfolios, including the commissioning of Sexual Health Services for children and young people. Her work extended to workforce development, social marketing, and community engagement, making significant strides in improving local health outcomes.
From 2014 to 2018, Emmerline served as a Quality Improvement Lead at NHS England. In this role, she spearheaded initiatives within the Children, Young People’s, and Maternity Networks across Yorkshire and the Humber. Her leadership in bringing together stakeholders from various sectors contributed to improved health outcomes for women, children, and families.
In 2018, Emmerline joined the West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership as the Manager for Improving Population Health. Her focus has been on leading programs designed to enhance the health and well-being of communities across West Yorkshire. A year later, she expanded her influence by taking on the role of Senior Public Health Lead for the West Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit, where she played a pivotal role in embedding a public health approach to reducing violence, knife crime, and non-domestic homicides.