Meet our governors

Term: 1
Current term ends: 31 October 2028

My full time career was with the Ministry of Justice, where my final post as a Senior Civil Servant was as the Public Trustee for England and Wales. I was appointed as a Non Executive Director at ESNEFT in 2018 and served two full terms ie 6 years.

I am currently a Patient Safety Partner ( 1-2 days per month) at the Trust. I am a Non Executive Director at Essex Cares Ltd which provides CQC regulated services across Essex. I am a Lay Chair for Consultant Appointment panels at Barking, Havering and Redbridge NHS Trust. I hold a couple of voluntary trustee roles in North Essex.

I am married with four adult children and two grandchildren. I am a lifelong supporter of West Ham United. My wife is an accomplished ballroom dancer and I do my best to keep up with her at our weekly class.

Term: 3
Current term ends: 31 October 2028

I am a retired Practice Manager of a local GP Practice.

I am the Chair of a charity, Building Malawi which builds libraries and schools in Malawi. We hold a “mini festival” in our garden every summer to raise funds for this charity.

I am also a listening volunteer for the Samaritans. 

Term: 1
Current term ends: 31 October 2028

Having lived in North Essex for over 25 years and raised my three children, we are regular users of ESNEFT services and know how important they are. Many of my friends and family work in the NHS and allied services across the UK. I work in London as the Dean of a Business School, a department of a large University.

I believe I can bring a fresh and practical perspective to the role of a governor as a critical friend. I’d like to apply my experience of leadership in higher education and understanding of how complex public funded organisations work. As a Doctor of Education I have a keen interest in putting leadership theory into practice and appreciation of how good leadership can make a real difference.

Term: 2
Current term ends: 30 June 2027

I graduated as a biologist and have worked as a Pharmaceutical and Healthcare analyst, with a particular interest in Microbiology and Epidemiology.

My market research background enables me to gather feedback from my fellow residents and Trust staff, while I am well positioned to perform governance roles having had a career in senior management including Strategy, Finance and Operations in the financial sector.

I work in the voluntary sector for Citizens Advice and other local charities.

Term: 2
Current term ends: 30 June 2028

I am a widower with two sons and four grandsons, and we all live in Colchester area.

I trained as an electrical engineer but spent most of my working life in sales/management roles. The last years of my career I spent dealing with large oil and gas projects round the World. This enabled me to travel to interesting places and meet interesting people, which I enjoyed.

I am a member of Colchester Forum Rotary club and enjoy being involved in many charity and community projects that we undertake. Recently, I have helped renovate and update the garden and play area at Langham Primary School. Last week my colleagues helped plant 5000 crocus corms in the wellbeing garden at Colchester Hospital.

I also help run a seniors club called “Young at Heart Forum” which meets fortnightly at Lakelands Community Centre in Stanway. This is the home of the CIC “Colchester Anti Loo Roll Brigade” which my son Peter runs. My vice is that I am a big Chelsea fan and have a season ticket which I share with one of my grandsons.

Over the years my family, friends and friends have had the very best and the very worst of experiences of the NHS at Colchester Hospital. I believe this enables me to take a balanced view of how patients are treated and cared for. I welcome the opportunity to represent the local community that deserve the best NHS that we can all be proud of.

Also, I have the time which will be needed to devote to the role.

Term: 1
Current term ends: 31 October 2028

My name is Daniel, and I have worked within disability inclusion, education, mental health, housing, social services and youth/community engagement over the past decade. My campaigning and advocacy for disabled people has been recognised multiple times in central government, and I was recently placed onto the Scope Assembly, which is one of the UK’s largest disability charities.

I am passionate about shining a light on people’s feedback when shaping local health services within my community. Through lived experience as a disabled person myself, I know the potential barriers in place for people who present under multiple medical diagnoses, which can sometimes create a level of uncertainty around the quality of care received due to the complexity of needs.

I have previously offered my time to support final-year medical students in their learning, especially in improving the overall experience for patients who have been accustomed to serious delays as a result of this. As a governor, I want to ensure there is complete transparency and accountability at all times, and I will do my utmost to ensure that all decisions, policies and the delivery of our services take into account people’s lived experiences so that it can continue to develop and strengthen its practice, so it remains something to be extremely proud of in years to come.

Term: 1
Current term ends: 31 October 2028

I’m a Professor of Accounting with professional qualifications in management accounting. Much of my work has focused on public sector and healthcare governance, both here in the UK and internationally. I’ve also researched healthcare reform and the work–life balance of healthcare professionals. I’ve lived in the UK since 1993. My wife is a healthcare scientist and my daughter is a doctor – both working in the NHS – and my son is a civil servant.

With my background in healthcare governance, I wanted to use my experience to help strengthen our local healthcare system. The NHS is such a unique and valued institution, and I believe we all share a responsibility to keep it accountable and effective for the public. Becoming a governor felt like a meaningful way to contribute to that goal.

I have expertise in the area of healthcare governance and I thought I need to take this opportunity to employ my skills to support of our local healthcare for better patient experience and improving the quality of the healthcare. NHS is an unique setting in healthcare world and we need work together to keep it accountable and governable for British Public. I wish to contribute to this agenda of my limited capacity.

Term: 1
Current term ends: 31 October 2028

I am a business consultant and founder of WestropWebster Ltd, specialising in audit, quality
management, and governance across complex, high-risk industries. With over 25 years of
experience improving performance, compliance, and safety in major organisations such as
Balfour Beatty and Mott MacDonald, I have a strong commitment to accountability,
transparency, and continuous improvement. Personally, I’m passionate about mentoring
others and supporting initiatives that help people and organisations achieve their full
potential.

I became a governor to apply my professional experience in audit and governance to the
NHS, particularly to help hold non-executive directors to account and represent the interests
of patients, staff, and the wider community. As a carer for my Father currently in Palliative
care and my late Mother who passed away after mistakes make during her care, I value the
opportunity to strengthen accountability, promote transparency, and ensure that decision making always reflects the best interests of the public.

Term: 1
Current term ends: 30 June 2027

Term: 1
Current term ends: 31 October 2028

Business journalist who ran a small publishing business – including Healthcare Business International. Retired. Five grown-up children. Married.

Interested in health care services. Want to give back.

Term: 1
Current term ends: 30 June 2027

Term: 3
Current term ends: 31 October 2028

In my professional career I was a secondary school teacher in London before working as a Senior Education Officer for three urban rural authorities. Including Suffolk and Norfolk, managing a wide range of services including school improvement and governance. Since retiring I have worked with schools and LEAs as an improvement education consultant.

I am actively engaged in healthy living activities as the ‘Ipswich Ambassador’ for the Public Health Collaboration, a national charity promoting healthy lifestyles and nutrition. As a core member of their Real Food Rebellion team, working with schools on developing programmes of learning to reduce child obesity. I am a member of Ipswich Jaffa Running Club, have run all the world major marathons and have been selected for the England Masters marathon team.

Term: 1
Current term ends: 31 October 2028

Term: 3
Current term ends: 30 June 2027

I have been a patient at Ipswich Hospital for over 40 years and a volunteer for over 20.

I am passionate that the patient’s voice is always heard and have sat on many groups, as patient representative, over the years.

As a governor, I always strive to bring the perspective of the patient to the forefront in decision making.

I am involved with the ESNEFT Patient Panels and also sit on the Patient and Public group of IESCCG (Ipswich and East Suffolk CCG).

Term: 1
Current term ends: 31 October 2028

Term: 1
Current term ends: 31 October 2028

Term: 1
Current term ends: 31 October 2028

I was born and bred in Leeds, West Yorkshire where I served with West Yorkshire Police and moved to Suffolk in 1990 with my wife and 2 young daughters and I continued to work in the Criminal Justice/public sector. I currently work for Suffolk Mind, as a service manager.

I have 45 years+ involvement with NHS hospital and GP services—primarily through supporting my wife’s complex healthcare journey across Yorkshire and Suffolk. This has given me first hand experience of the NHS at its best, and at times, its most challenged.

Term: 1
Current term ends: 08 December 2028

60 years old, been retired for 8 years. Married with 2 grown up boys. 4 grandchildren. Love playing golf and catching up on travelling while I was unable to do whilst working.

I have spent the last 20 years as a School Governor (Last 5 as Chair). For the last 5 years I have been a Trustee of a Multi Academy Schools Trust. Both roles have come to a natural conclusion and I was keen to carry on in a volunteering capacity.

Term: 1
Current term ends: 30 June 2027

I am the learning disability and Autism specialist nurse for Ipswich hospital. I support all patients with learning disabilities or Autism that come to the hospital.

I became a staff governor because I am passionate about making sure that the voices of autistic people and those with learning disabilities are heard and valued. These should reflect in how services are planned, delivered and reviewed. In my professional role as a Learning Disability and Autism Specialist Nurse, I see first-hand the impact that inclusive, safe and reasonable adjustments can have on patients’ experiences and outcomes.

Becoming a governor allows me to contribute both professional insight and lived experiences gathered from patients, carers and staff. This will help to support the Trust in making informed, compassionate and accessible decisions. I am particularly motivated to challenge health inequalities. I also want to promote working together to make sure safeguarding, dignity and patient safety remain central to organisational priorities.

I also want to give something back to my local community and staff team. I want to support the Trust in meeting its statutory responsibilities, values and strategic objectives. As a governor, I aim to provide constructive challenge. I want to act as a bridge between the Trust and the communities it serves. I support on going improvement in care for people who are often at greater risk of exclusion or disadvantage within healthcare systems.

Term: 1
Current term ends: 31 October 2028

I am the Deputy Head of Radiotherapy and have spent the past 18 years working within the service at the Trust. I am deeply committed to championing the AHP workforce. I want to ensure the challenges faced by wider staff groups are heard and addressed. Outside of work, I coach an under‑10s boys’ football team. It strengthens my connection to the community and reflects my passion for supporting people to grow and thrive.

I am passionate about helping to shape the Trust’s future direction. I see this role as a vital opportunity to ensure the voices of frontline staff are heard at board level. I also value the chance to broaden my understanding of the wider Trust business, while building strong relationships and networks with board-level colleagues.

Term: 3
Current term ends: 30 June 2027

I have worked for the NHS in Colchester for nearly 30 years in a variety of clinical roles, including as a support worker, porter, Operating Department Practitioner and for the last 11 years in the Head of Moving & Handling. My role is to try and improve safety for staff and patients.

I have also spent 15 years engaging with the Trust working as a steward with the staff-side trade unions. I have championed a partnership approach rather than an adversarial one and I am the former staff side chairman.

Term: 1
Current term ends: 30 June 2027

I am a Biomedical Scientist working within Pathology at ESNEFT. I have a strong interest in how systems, culture, and leadership shape staff experience and patient care. Alongside my clinical role, I am involved in trust-wide engagement. This includes working around health inequalities, equality, diversity and inclusion, and staff wellbeing. I enjoy learning how organisations function at scale and how thoughtful leadership can create environments where people feel supported to do their best work.

I became a staff governor because I wanted to contribute beyond my immediate role. I want to help ensure that staff voices are heard at a strategic level. I was particularly drawn to the opportunity to understand how decisions are made across the Trust. I aim to represent the perspectives of colleagues who may not always feel confident speaking up. Being a governor will allow me to bridge frontline experience with board-level conversations in a constructive and meaningful way.

Term: 1
Current term ends: 31 October 2028

Term: 1
Current term ends: 30 June 2027

Term: 3
Current term ends: 30 June 2027

My role includes working with head and neck cancer and plastic surgery patients; and line management of staff. I am extremely passionate about the development of new roles; and encourage and facilitate staff to maximise their potential. I strongly believe that communication and regular staff contact is the key to the retention of skilled and dedicated colleagues.

Term: 1
Current term ends: 31 October 2027

Term: 2
Current term ends: 30 June 2027

I was the Dental Public Health Program Manager at Public Health England and was appointed Chief Executive of Healthwatch Essex, having been on the Board for eight years, in 2020.

I have nearly 20 years of experience working in health & social care in hospitals, the community – both private and NHS – and in primary and secondary care.

I have a keen focus on embedding lived experience into the community to help influence change.

Term: 1
Current term ends: 30 September 2027

Term: 1
Current term ends: 31 September 2027

Term: 1
Current term ends: 31 September 2027

Term: 1
Current term ends: 30 June 2027

Term: 1
Current term ends: 31 August 2027

Term: 1
Current term ends: 30 June 2027

Term: 2
Current term ends: 30 June 2027

Term: 1
Current term ends: 30 June 2027