 | Marie Gabriel CBE, Chair I have been Chair of East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT) - which is rated as ‘outstanding’ by the CQC and was the HSJ’s ‘Trust of the Year’ in 2016 - since October 2012. Before that, I was Chair of a variety of health organisations, including NHS East London and the City, North East London and the City, NHS Newham and Newham Community Health Council. I was recognised on the HSJ’s inaugural ‘Inspirational Women’ list and made a CBE for services to the NHS in the Queen’s birthday honours in 2017. It is a huge honour to be joining Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust as Chair and I truly look forward to working with staff, service users, carers, partners and Board colleagues, building on what the Trust does well and drawing on ELFT’s successful improvement experience. |
Public Governors - Suffolk
| Ian Hartley Term of office started 1 February 2018 I have a long-standing interest in mental health going back to the 1960s when I first experienced anxiety and panic attacks. In the 1970s I was briefly hospitalised and treated with drugs and ECT.
In the 1980s I began working for Mind in Suffolk, eventually becoming the CEO. I worked for Mind for almost 20 years. During that time I worked with NHS and Local Authority services in Suffolk and Mind was jointly commissioned to succesfully run housing and day services. After retiring from Mind I worked for five years in service improvement with the Care Services Improvement Partnership and Suffolk Social Services. I also became a trustee of the Suffolk service user-led organisation SUF. I follow the fortunes of NSFT, keep abreast of good practice and continue to work for services that meet the needs of those who experience mental health difficulties. |
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 | Katharine Axford Term of office started 1 February 2019
Although I have been a carer for over 40 years, my interest in mental health pre-dated this and continued throughout my working life. This was a mix of paid and voluntary work within the NHS, local government and the voluntary sector, combined with looking after my family. My experience includes being: Co-ordinator, Redbridge Rethink (mental health carers support group); Trustee / Chair, Redbridge Carers (generic carers service); primary and secondary school governor; Information Officer, UKFSMA (voluntary sector organisation, representing service user and other mental health groups); Health Information Manager, NHS Direct NE London. Although there is now more talk about mental ill-health, I do not think understanding about serious mental illness has increased. |
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Kathleen Ben Rabha Term of office started 1 February 2014
I've now been elected as a Public Governor for Suffolk, having served before as a Partner Governor. I have strong connections with the community and voluntary sector. In my work in the Church of England in Suffolk, I'm working to raise awareness in church communities and faith groups in general about mental health. I am also connected with Healthwatch Suffolk and the Suffolk User Forum.
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Dr Paddy Fielder Term of office started 1 February 2014
I'm a recently retired family doctor, having worked in the NHS since 1970. I was employed at both the Norfolk and Norwich and Ipswich hospitals and spent many years in rural general practice in Suffolk. Besides caring for patients, I also taught medical students and graduate doctors.
Since retirement, I started and have been involved in a patient participation group and chair the Debenham Project for the carers of those with dementia within my community.
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Andrew Good Term of office started 1 February 2014
My last management role before retirement in 2011 was as Chief Executive of Mid Suffolk District Council. A Samaritan volunteer for 19 years and Chairman of the Colchester, Tendring and Suffolk Borders branch, I'm concerned about the impact of mental health issues on people's lives. I have first hand family experience of seeking support for someone with Alzheimer’s.
I believe that through effective engagement, service users can and should influence policy, service design and delivery. I now chair the Membership Subgroup. |
Public Governors - Norfolk

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Rebecca Toye Term of office started 1 February 2019
I consider it a great privilege to serve as a governor and believe I can help in ensuring the Trust provides the right and effective services for everyone. Over many years, I have been a proactive member of a variety of boards and committees, having worked in mental health since 2007, in social care, auditing and management roles. I am a mental health champion who has set up programmes and training schemes in mental health awareness, carer befrienders, professional boundaries and diversity training. I bring professional skills, essential to any governor, and a passion and drive to making a difference to lives. I will work hard to make a positive impact on behalf of service users, members and carers. |
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Dr Ron French Term of office started 1 February 2014
I'm experienced as a research physicist, IT director and in consultancy and, most recently, as a board member of a private university and now a trustee.
I have advised a range of government bodies and other agencies, including hospitals, on efficiency and the preparation and implementation of strategic plans.
I was the carer of my mother and of my wife with terminal cancer and had a bipolar son-in-law who refused help because of the stigma attached.
As a new governor, I look forward to contributing to the Board and its committees for the benefit of our local community.
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Sheila Preston Term of office started 1 February 2014
As a governor, I hope to act as an effective interface between service users, carers, the public, and the Trust in order to monitor the design and delivery of appropriate and superior mental health services equitably among users.
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Hilary Hanbury Term of office started 1 February 2015 Twenty five years in the education sector, as tutor, educational adviser and in senior management gave me a gift: to be involved in the lives of people who were experiencing mental ill health. Some had additional support needs due to learning difficulties or physical disabilities. They sometimes found it difficult, without support, to access things that others in the community found easy, like social interaction, higher education, building relationships or going to the shops. That support wasn't always available.
This was wrong and I spent most of my working life helping to improve their experiences through the adult education department at the Norvic Clinic and with community mental health staff.
In twenty five years much has improved, but we can still do better. My pledge is to contribute to the continuing improvement of mental health services for the people of Norfolk and Suffolk by working on your behalf. I am on your side.
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Nigel Boldero, Joint Lead Governor Term of office started 1 March 2016
I’ve lived in Norfolk for nearly 30 years and over that time have been a volunteer in a variety of fields. I want to contribute to the effective governance of the Trust and to connect with the public it serves, especially in Norfolk.
Initially trained in spatial planning, most of my working life has involved policy planning, analytical and management positions in a range of local and national public bodies (including a local NHS Community Health Trust, Social Services and a Housing Association).
I have a commitment to enabling effective joint working between agencies and played a part in the transformation of old, outdated care facilities for elderly people and those with a learning disability into less institutional, community-based care.
More recently I’ve provided independent support to public, charitable and voluntary organisations on a range of topics, including social enterprise development. Following further training about 10 years ago, I set up as a Garden and Landscape Designer specialising in children’s play landscapes.
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| Clare Smith Term of office started April 2018 I want to help NSFT deliver the right services for everyone who needs them. I know that staff are determined to improve its work and in February 2017 I was invited to become a Trust Green Light Champion, promoting knowledge about learning disabilities and autism. I was a journalist – a BBC Health Correspondent – for many years and later became a university lecturer and governor of Salford NHS Trust. Now I run a website where I blog about autism and provide training courses for professional people. I also helped to set up Norfolk’s first organisation to be a voice for people with Asperger’s syndrome – the Norfolk Autism / Asperger’s Network. |
Service User Governor - Suffolk
Service User Governor - Norfolk
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Kevin James Term of office started 1 February 2019 I’m a highly motivated professional and service user for over 20 years. I am passionate about mental health and supporting service users to access services in their local area when needed, in a way that best suits their needs. For many years I have supported and advocated for service user participation and involvement which helps organisations to provide services in a safe and effective way to suit the needs of service users and to challenge the organisation that delivers them. These skills have been invaluable in several roles, including as Lived Experience Co-ordinator, Co-Production Lead for the Faculty of the University of East Anglia, Norwich Medical School and as a trustee for a user-led disability rights charity in Norfolk that supports independent living for disabled people. This experience and the skills I have gained throughout my professional and volunteer roles will enable me to serve as an effective governor and allow me to make impartial decisions on your behalf of service users, your friends and family and stakeholders. |
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Carer Governor - Suffolk
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Peter Coleman Term of office started 1 February 2019 As a carer, I have over 13 years' experience of Suffolk mental health services, including inpatient, community mental health and forensic services. Also, I have experienced out-of-area placement, and have attended CPA meetings in various settings, as well as tribunal hearings.
Attending HealthWatch Mental Health Focus Group meetings, I regularly meet service users and carers along with mental health professionals, and voluntary support organisers. Using social media, I am aware of the views of some service users, as well as ideas for a modern mental health service. I am a semi-retired telecommunications and IT support engineer, having worked in many diverse settings, and have been a member of Suffolk's Health Scrutiny Committee for four years. |
Carer Governor - Norfolk
Staff Governors
-small.jpg) | Jill Curtis Term of office started 1 February 2018 I am a frontline worker, who has a positive outlook and tenacious attitude, who will bring an everyday perspective to the role. People who have met me know I am forthright and honest and am prepared to advocate and support others to achieve a fair outcome.
I have been employed by NSFT for 17 years and enjoy working collaboratively alongside colleagues, service users and carers. I am actively involved in culture-changing initiatives, including the Triangle of Care and the Recovery College. I have built relationships with other statutory and community services and have organised and participated in community events to listen to and gather people’s views about NSFT services. It is my hope that NSFT will continue to provide a caring service that meets the requirements of local people and the high standards expected. |
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Dr Jemima Jackson Term of office started 1 February 2019 I qualified as a doctor five years ago and have always been drawn towards working in mental health. I started training for a career in psychiatry with NSFT 18 months ago. As a doctor training in mental health, I have the privilege of working in many different settings and getting to know the fantastic and dedicated staff that we have within NSFT. I was born and grew up in Norfolk and returned here after university, enthusiastic and committed to improving people's quality of life as well as to be near my extended family. I’m a great believer in the importance of arts and creativity in mental wellbeing, I did a music degree before I went to medical school in London and especially enjoy singing. I also like to do wood-turning and enjoy jogging with my dog.
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Partner Governors
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Sian Coker / Peter Beazley,
University of East Anglia
Heather Rugg, University of Suffolk
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Thomas Smith, Norfolk County Council James Reeder, Suffolk County Council |
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Vikki Versey, Youth Council Suffolk
Meghan Teviotdale, Youth Council Norfolk |