Madeliene is a Barrister with experience in both civil and criminal law. She was called to the Bar in 1999 following a first career in social work education and training. Until 1997 she was Head of the Department of Social Work at the Mid-Kent College of Higher and Further Education. She has postgraduate qualifications in law and management and was an External Academic Examiner to the Masters Programme in Social Work at the University of Kent .

Madeliene is also an Elected Member of Lewisham Council and was the Chair of the first Lewisham Joint Committee of Health and Social Services. She was actively involved in the early joint initiatives in services for people with learning difficulties.

Madeliene has spent over 20 years in the public service, having held senior Council positions as Cabinet member for Resources and Finance, and Chair of the Social Services, and Personnel Committees. She has a keen interest in health and social care issues and public sector employment relations.

Madeliene was a Non-Executive Director on the Lewisham and Guy’s NHS Trust before being appointed as the first Chair of the newly reconfigured South London and Maudsley NHS Trust. Madeliene has led the Trust into Foundation Trust authorisation in November 2006 and has recently been reappointed as Chair by the Members Council.