Mum Deborah Dellar was shocked and surprised to be named one of the top 50 Inspirational Women in Healthcare in England.

The 50-year-old, of Winter-bourne Monk- ton, is deputy chief executive and director of strategic development at Uni-versity Hosp- itals Bristol and was named in the list published by the Health service journal.

She received a number of nominations. She said: “I didn’t even realise that there was a list, so when I found out I was nominated I was quite surprised.

“When I got another email a few weeks later I was really shocked and quite humbled.

“I am named alongside some of the most influential women in the country who I have looked up to for a long time so it’s quite an honour.”

Mrs Dellar, who works under the name of Deborah Lee, tried to keep the honour under wraps but news soon spread around the trust.

This is the second year that the Health Service Journal has run the list to celebrate healthcare’s most inspirational female leaders.

The journal read: “Deborah is said to be extraordinarily influential within her own organisation, and well respected. She proves it is possible to have a family life alongside a senior role – she has two young children – and surely meets the definition of inspirational.”