Non-Executive Directors

I joined the Trust as Chair in January 2022. I spent much of my career inspecting public services to promote improvement. Most recently, I was Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services. I was responsible for a third of police forces in England and Wales and a quarter of fire services. This included those in Norfolk and Suffolk. I shone a light on all aspects of policing and created the new national fire inspectorate.

I am a lawyer by background and have worked in Whitehall and local government. I bring a wealth of experience in supporting public sector organisations to improve. My work on domestic abuse and violence against women and girls has challenged the police and their partners to do better. It is leading to a national sea-change in approach. I have long advocated for better care and access to services for people with mental ill health.

Born in Norfolk and now living in Suffolk, I am committed to making a difference in our communities. Family experience of mental health issues has shown me how life changing access to excellent services can be. It's a privilege to be Chair of the Trust and I will strive with the Board to help further our improvement journey. Service users will come first and will be at the heart of all we do, shaping our services for the better.  

NED Committee Chair role

• Remuneration Committee
• Nominations and Conduct Group

(Picture courtesy of Geoff Pugh Photography Limited)

I joined the Trust in July 2020, bringing 20 years of experience in the insurance and finance industries. I was with AXA between 2007 and 2023 and was head of audit for AXA Retail and Commercial from 2019 to 2023.

I am passionate about making sure people have good access to excellent mental health services. This follows a family experience. The teams who supported them - which included staff from NSFT - did an amazing job. 

I am proud to be the Trust's Senior Independent Director helping to make sure staff have appropriate routes to safely speak up about issues and concerns, and that when they do improvements and changes are made as a result.

I am also chair of the Trust's Audit and Risk Committee.

I am keen to do what I can to help the Trust support people to live their dreams and aspirations. 

I am a martial arts black belt and enjoy arranging walks in the Suffolk countryside for my local dog group.

NED Committee Chair roles

• Performance and Finance Committee
• Audit and Risk Committee (Vice Chair)

 

I joined the Trust in March 2025. I am a chartered accountant with a long history of delivering executive level financial management and oversight. I am also a non-executive director at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals Trust and at a local housing association.

I am passionate about improving the lives of people in our community. I have held several roles in the local housing association sector. In these roles I have been involved in creating strategies to relieve pressure on the housing crisis and preventing homelessness.

This has given me strong awareness of the mental health issues people in the eastern region face. With this insight, and my passion for improving the living standards of people in our local community, I am confident my experience will be of value as the Trust continues its journey of transformation to provide safer, kinder, and better services.

In my spare time I enjoy getting outdoors - I am a keen hill walker and enjoy outdoor challenges. I also cherish time spent with my family.

NED Committee Chair roles

• Audit and Risk Committee
• Chair Committee
• Performance and Finance (Vice Chair)

I was born and raised in Suffolk, and for over 20 years, I've dedicated my career to supporting communities across Suffolk and Norfolk. 

I am currently a Chief Executive in the housing sector - I'm passionate about housing and homelessness, and I'm deeply committed to improving outcomes for people in our communities by creating safe, secure, and supportive living environments. 

In addition to my professional roles, I frequently fundraise on behalf of local charities-work that allows me to stay connected to the community in meaningful ways. Joining Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust as a non-executive director gives me the opportunity to bring my skills, experience, and personal insight to the Trust's mission. I look forward to helping improve outcomes for patients and their families. Making sure that our services remain accessible, compassionate, and responsive to the needs of the people we serve.

NED Committee Chair role

• Charity Committee (Vice Chair)

I have over 30 years of experience in senior leadership and board-level roles across the NHS, working in a variety of complex settings at local level including mental health, community and hospital settings, as well as regional and national levels. I have had director roles in human resources and organisation development, and I've also led services in areas such as children's services, communications, IT, and business planning.

Throughout my career, I've successfully led major change programmes including mergers, restructures, and cultural transformation, and I have designed and led initiatives focused on leadership development, executive recruitment, inclusion, staff wellbeing, and partnership working.

I bring a strong understanding of organisational behaviour and development, system dynamics, and inclusive leadership, and I've worked extensively with boards to help shape healthy, high-performing organisations.

I take a values-driven, inclusive approach, focused on building trust, helping teams to reach their full potential, and working collaboratively to deliver better outcomes.

I joined the Trust in April 2025. My career has taken me from clinical roles through to executive roles. I began as a nurse, midwife and health visitor before moving into leadership roles in both the NHS and local government.  

i was the director of adult social services for two Councils before early retirement led to a portfolio phase that included working in the voluntary sector, as the independent chair of a Safeguarding Adults Board and as a non-executive director at Ipswich Hospital. I chaired the Board at East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust from 2019 until 2025, when I had served the maximum term.

I have lived in Suffolk for 21 years and have a lifelong family connection with Norfolk too. It has been a real privilege to be involved with my local health services since 2016. I am delighted to continue that at NSFT. 

I've had a lot of involvement with mental health services throughout my career and hope that my experience will contribute to the next stage of that journey. 

NED Committee Chair roles

• Quality Committee (Vice Chair) 
• People and Culture Committee (Vice Chair Designate)

I am a policy governance expert who has worked extensively with the NHS and charities. My aim is always to improve the effectiveness of the organisation. In my last role I was the Expert Witness on governance and management to the Public Inquiry, led by Sir Wyn Williams, into the Horizon Post Office Scandal. This meant I gave evidence to the inquiry in public. The number of sub postmasters who continue to experience trauma and anxiety because of the Horizon scandal is upsetting.

Mental health and access to support in the community, resonates strongly with me as someone who, like so many others, has had mental health issues in the family.

I believe working through partnerships will be of increasing importance to the NHS. I have a wide background covering business, public and charity sectors, and whilst working full time in healthcare I have developed a 'parallel career' working voluntarily with charity boards continuously for 20 years, including as Trustee of OxfamGB during the Safeguarding Crisis.

I was formerly head of Transformation and Culture at NHS England, Director for Organisation Development at the Kings Fund, the independent health think tank, and Head of Governance Policy at Monitor, the regulator of Foundation Trusts. Prior to moving to health in 2003 I also held roles in Organisation Development and transformation at KPMG and Citibank.

This is my second term as a NED at NSFT following an earlier term between 2019 and 2022.