Get to Know the UKRN Team – Sital Patel

Having started in August 2025, we’re keen to formally introduce you to our latest team member, Sital Patel who starts on secondment from the Financial Conduct Authority.

As with this series, Sital was asked to answer a few questions about herself and her career in regulation which enables you to get to know her better.

You can connect with her on Linkedin here: Sital Patel

1. Tell me a bit about yourself

That’s a classic – let’s just say there are not a lot of things that can get me down. During the Pandemic, I started growing my own veg. I also did an interior design course, designed my ideal home, renovated and used my skills to completely transform it into my personal haven. It’s always a compliment when a tradesperson asks me for the contact details of my interior designer (she says grinning like a Cheshire cat).  I guess my superpower is I can turn my hand to most things and do it well – I think it helps to be curious and enthusiastic about things.

I am currently a volunteer in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and amongst other things, help with their biodiversity program.  I’ve also got a bit of an adventurous streak and I have abseiled from the ArcelorMittal Orbit (UK’s tallest sculpture), for charity.  Would it be oversharing to say I held an annual pass to the Orbit?

For more, come find me on LinkedIn: Sital Patel LinkedIn

2. What attracted you to UKRN?

My first exposure to UKRN was when I secured a place in their Next Generation Non-Executive Director Scheme. I became curious about their networks and wider work. I was attracted by UKRN’s commitment to help all its members to collectively tackle shared challenges. Therefore, when this secondment opportunity arose, I was naturally drawn to it. A bonus for me, as I love travelling, is that UKRN are hosted by the Civil Aviation Authority, so there are model planes all around the office!

3. What achievement has given you the most pride in your career? And also in your time at UKRN?

With a career span of more than 25 years in the regulatory space it’s difficult to pick just one. However, early in my career at the Food Standards Agency, my greatest pride was setting up and launching  The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (link). It involved food operators displaying food hygiene ratings on their door.  At the time, it was novel and unprecedented. I led this flagship project and influenced businesses, local authorities, and stakeholders to participate, as it was initially voluntary. It enabled consumers to make informed choices of where to eat, raised hygiene standards and consumer protection. This led to greater transparency, competition, and growth. I feel proud knowing that I played a key role to deliver these great outcomes that continue to benefit us all.

As for UKRN, I’m only a few weeks into the role so I’ll let you know in the future.

4. What 3 words best encapsulate regulation for you?

Putting on my legal hat, regulation is about rules, order, and supervision. All of which needs to be balanced against consumer protection. It’s a constant balancing act for regulators irrespective of the sector they operate in so sharing best practice and working collaboratively to find innovative solutions is a must!

7. What 3 countries/places have you enjoyed visiting the most and why?

I was born to travel so it’s hard for me to choose just 3.  Each country holds a special memory, because for me travel is about connecting with nature and people:

1. Alaska – the landscape is breathtaking. It’s a place you would need to experience yourself to truly understand its beauty.  I travelled from Vancouver via the inside passage to Anchorage and then up to Denali National Park and over Mount McKinley and it was spectacular.  I had just arrived at the lodge when I had my first encounter with a bear and it’s not something you ever forget. I could speak to many positive experiences I had in Alaska, but one that makes me smile, was when they found out I was a lawyer, one of the locals got the set of keys for the Court building in Anchorage and opened it up giving me the grand tour! 
2. Peru – I trekked to Machu Pichu with my best friend, to say that we’ve never camped or slept outdoors would be an understatement. I learnt so much about myself on that trip such as breaking free of self-imposed limitations. I tended to be last into camp each day and then on the final day I was the first person to reach the summit. This surprised everyone including me! At the time, something within me switched as I decided I was not going to be last and thankfully my body had acclimated to the altitude! The beautiful landscape and llamas made the experience worth it. Most of all, I learnt who I really was that day.
3. Argentina – being somewhat organised, I was armed with a list of hostels but poor language skills (like, zero Spanish).  I then met a lady on a bus in Paraguay who spoke fluent Portuguese (but no English), so we befriended each other, combined forces, and had a lot of fun despite the language barrier! The following year I took a plane and three local buses to the southern tip of Patagonia to meet her. It was a great trip and to this day we are in touch 20 years later!

I am always happy to chat about other travel experiences including, China, Zanzibar (Freddie Mercury’s home), Brazil, Vietnam, Cambodia, Bolivia, and Albania to name a few. In Europe, I do love Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia. In terms of choosing paradise between the Maldives and Mauritius well Maurice, as the locals call it, has a special place in my heart.  Also, in Costa Rica I discovered that my guide had also been guiding David Attenborough whilst filming an episode of Planet Earth – a very happy coincidence. Finally, for the ultimate all round enriched cultural and food experience, the mother land, India, is one of my favourite destinations.

8. When your career is nearing completion, or you get to retire – what 3 words would you like your career to be remembered by?

Ambitious, Delivers, and Compassionate 

Ambitious, in a healthy way, pushing myself to be the best version I can be. Self-development and growth have always been important to me. I am a “doer”. I firmly believe I am in the driving seat of my career and ultimately my life. I try to be the best driver on the track, certainly when go-karting with colleagues!

Delivery is a key part of my professional reputation.  I have been entrusted by seniors to lead The Flagship Projects in every organisation due to my strong work ethic. I will get things over the line and successfully deliver under a variety of time pressures and challenges.  For me, this is what makes life interesting and gets me out of bed!

Compassion towards my colleagues is important to me and ultimately reflects my own core values and is at the heart of all my interactions.

We really hope you enjoyed getting to know Sital more. Look out for our next featured team member shortly!