With over 14 years of experience in healthcare, the journey of Jay Trondillo took an unexpected turn from his original aspirations. Initially aiming to become an Advanced Nurse Practitioner or a Specialist Nurse, Jay is now an award-winning Regional Director, overseeing regional operations for Maria Mallaband Care Group, one of UK’s largest independent care providers. Leading a team of over a thousand staff across multiple care homes, he has championed quality-driven care, resulting in significant financial turnarounds and consistently high regulatory ratings under the Care Quality Commission (CQC) framework. Armed with an MBA with Distinction from Hult International Business School, as well as a bachelor’s and master’s degree in nursing and a PhD in Development Research and Administration, Jay combines clinical expertise with exceptional business acumen. This rare combination has empowered him to address complex leadership challenges, enhance operational efficiency, and achieve remarkable outcomes for patients and staff alike.
Yet Jay’s professional pathway was anything but linear. In his early years, he envisioned himself as an advanced nurse practitioner or a specialist nurse working closely with patients in a highly clinical setting. “This was never the plan as I’ve always wanted to be an advanced nurse practitioner or a specialist nurse,” he admits. However, he soon realized that the realm of healthcare is vast, offering varied avenues where one can significantly impact patients and entire organizations alike. His decision to move into management was partially inspired by fellow Filipino healthcare professionals who had achieved leadership roles within the UK’s National Health Service (NHS). Seeing others thrive in leadership illuminated a new possibility for his career—one in which he could apply his medical expertise, strategic thinking, and desire to serve on a broader scale.
Jay’s current role requires him to juggle numerous responsibilities: overseeing regulatory compliance, driving strategic initiatives, guaranteeing financial sustainability, and championing a workplace culture that fosters professional development. Under his stewardship, the care homes he oversees have seen remarkable improvements in both clinical risk management and compliance. Notably, he led an initiative to reduce agency costs to zero, a feat that underscores his ability to balance cost-effectiveness with the unyielding pursuit of quality care. He is also proud that his region maintained the highest training compliance in the group. By introducing digital innovations—like sensor-based falls detection systems—Jay has also significantly lowered the number of preventable accidents, demonstrating that creative problem-solving can solve persistent challenges in care settings.
Beyond the day-to-day operations, Jay is involved in projects that keep his region at the forefront of healthcare innovation, piloting the group’s first use of CCTV in care settings and implementing digital reception that links with patient’s electronic records. These measures not only strengthen operational accountability but also enhance transparency—a vital element in building trust among residents, families, and regulators. His multi-pronged strategy showcases Jay’s aptitude for overseeing, interdependent projects while keeping staff motivated and engaged.
Jay attributes part of his leadership success to his Filipino heritage, a foundation that he notes imbues him with qualities like respect, empathy, and communal spirit. “My Filipino heritage has instilled in me a strong sense of community and collaboration,” he says. Growing up in a culture that values bayanihan—the spirit of communal unity—has influenced his approach to leadership. By encouraging open dialogue, shared ownership of tasks, and celebrating collective achievements, Jay fosters an environment where staff members feel valued and empowered. When the team is aligned in purpose, he finds, patient satisfaction and quality of care naturally follow suit.
Leading a geographically dispersed team in the ever-evolving landscape of care services is both challenging and invigorating. “The care landscape is very dynamic so as the workforce,” Jay points out. Regulations can shift, new technologies emerge, and demographic changes mean that patient needs are never static. To thrive, Jay believes that adaptability is key. Rather than viewing regulatory changes or diverse staffing needs as hurdles, he sees them as invitations for innovation. For instance, when confronted with newly introduced policies or best practices, he collaborates with stakeholders—clinical teams, administrative staff, and regulators—to identify areas for improvement. This method of co-creation fosters buy-in at multiple levels and encourages sustained excellence.
An additional complexity arises from managing a less tech-savvy workforce alongside a more traditional healthcare staff. Jay acknowledges that bridging generational gaps requires tailoring communication, harnessing various skill sets, and promoting an inclusive culture that values each individual’s strengths. He invests significantly in continuous learning—both for himself and his team. Having graduated with distinction from Harvard Medical School’s Southeast Asia Healthcare Leadership Programme in 2019, Jay underscores the importance of ongoing education as a way to keep pace with changes in healthcare and sharpen leadership capabilities. This mindset resonates with his broader leadership philosophy: to remain effective, one must be open to growth and ready to adjust strategies as new challenges surface.
Such adaptability is also what led him to become an influential figure in professional nursing circles. As a published author and a speaker, Jay translates his real-world experiences into actionable insights for industry peers. Moreover, as the president and co-founder of Filipinos in Care CIC, he advocates for diversity and excellence in social care. The organization’s career development conferences—which he initially piloted—have been adopted by two national Filipino nursing groups in the UK, amplifying their reach and benefiting countless healthcare professionals seeking to elevate their careers. Through these initiatives, Jay hopes to promote representation of ethnic minorities in leadership roles, demonstrating that success can be achieved through mutual support, mentorship, and collective action.
Reflecting on his career progression from a pre-registered nurse in a dementia unit to a regional directorship overseeing multiple care homes, Jay pinpoints certain key moments that shaped him. The first was his decision to step into a deputy manager role for a new luxury care home after three years of service. The second was a subsequent opportunity to manage a nursing home in one of the UK’s largest care providers. Each transition built upon the last, refining his understanding of financial metrics, compliance demands, and workforce engagement. By focusing on patient outcomes and commercial viability simultaneously, he developed a reputation for being “quality-driven but also commercially astute.” This rare combination helped him turn around struggling care services and shape them into thriving, profitable operations aligned with best clinical practices.
Even with his impressive track record, Jay remains humble. He attributes much of his success to the teams he has led, stating that leadership is most effective when it is distributed. He encourages staff to voice their ideas, invests in mentorship, and celebrates each victory—no matter how small. Leading a diverse team also reaffirms his commitment to empathy and respect, reflecting a direct application of the bayanihan concept. From forging stable relationships with external stakeholders to nurturing positive morale within his workforce, Jay places humanity at the core of his operational strategy.
When asked what advice he might offer to aspiring Filipino nurses who aim to secure leadership roles abroad, Jay is unwavering in his emphasis on continuous improvement. “Firstly, invest in life-long learning such as continuous education or professional development,” he says. He underscores the synergy between formal education—like an MBA or healthcare leadership credentials—and practical work experience. Additionally, he highlights the importance of strategic networking. By building connections within organizations aligned with one’s mission, such as professional nursing associations or cultural community groups, individuals can find mentors, glean insights, and uncover new career paths. Jay credits his own network of mentors, many of them fellow Filipino trailblazers, with igniting his leadership aspirations and providing key guidance during pivotal career junctures.
Jay also advocates for broadening one’s horizons through varied professional experiences. He cites his background in the Philippines and his transition to the UK—sectors that demanded different managerial styles, cultural sensitivities, and regulatory knowledge—as instrumental to his adaptive leadership. Even when he lacked direct care home experience, his commercial acumen from previous roles proved invaluable, reinforcing that skills learned in one setting can translate effectively into another. Cultivating emotional intelligence is another cornerstone of his advice. Managing a cross-cultural team, he explains, requires listening skills, empathy, and the ability to communicate across potential language or cultural barriers in ways that foster unity rather than division.
Above all, Jay stresses the need for authenticity. By embracing one’s Filipino heritage and harnessing it as a source of strength, leaders can create environments where each person feels seen, respected, and committed to collective goals. “In the end,” he notes, “leadership is less about personal achievement and more about how you can empower those around you.” This collaborative approach resonates in the improvements he has delivered—whether digital innovation, cost reduction, or improved staff retention—each culminating in better experiences for residents and employees alike.
In sum, Jay’s story illustrates how determination, cultural values, and a relentless pursuit of knowledge can converge to form a dynamic leadership style. His rise from a frontline nurse to a regional director underscores the vast possibilities available to those who remain open to learning and innovation. Balancing clinical know-how with business acumen, compassion with accountability, Jay embodies the highest ideals of modern healthcare leadership. By championing collaboration, promoting digital transformations, and always placing patient well-being at the forefront, he has shaped care environments that can adapt, thrive, and sustainably deliver excellence. Whether driving operational success or inspiring the next generation of Filipino healthcare professionals, Jay continues to exemplify how purposeful leadership can transform both individual lives and entire organizations.
