Executive Directors at ESNEFT
Voting Members of the Trust Board


Adrian Marr, Interim Chief Executive
Adrian has worked in the NHS for over 35 years and was appointed to the ESNEFT Board in 2019. He has undertaken finance director roles in provider and commissioning organisations, and was previously director of finance for NHS England in the east of England.


Catherine Morgan, Deputy Chief Executive
Catherine is a senior nurse leader with more than 30 years’ experience. She has an established and strong clinical leadership reputation from a significant acute trust career, as well as a regional portfolio at NHS East of England. Catherine’s successful record of accomplishment throughout the eastern region and London, include time in NHS trusts in Colchester, King’s Lynn, Chelmsford and Ipswich, predominantly in nursing leadership roles supporting trusts with clinical improvement. She also specialised for nine years as a consultant nurse in renal medicine. The Queen’s New Year’s Honours list for 2021 recognised Catherine’s services to nursing when she was appointed as an OBE.


Mike Meers, Managing Director
Mike has worked within local NHS services for more than 36 years driving transformation across Digital Innovation, Operations and Logistics.
During this time, he has led the delivery of major infrastructure, corporate and clinical IT systems from procurement through to implementation most recently as Senior Responsible Owner for the Trusts EpicEPR delivery.
As Managing Director Mike’s focus is on Urgent and Emergency Care, Emergency Preparedness Resilience and Response, Digital Innovation and Transformation to improve our services to staff and patients.
Mike has responsibility on the Trust Board as the Senior Information Risk Owner (SIRO). The role was created to provide board-level accountability and greater assurance that information risks are addressed.


James Rowe Chief Finance Officer (Interim)
James began his NHS career as a management trainee and has worked in the NHS for over 25 years. James was appointed to the ESNEFT Board in January 2026. He has previously undertaken a variety of senior level finance roles internally and externally of the Trust, and has a keen interest in training and development.


Angela Tillett, Chief Medical Officer
Angela trained at University College London and started as a paediatric consultant in Colchester in 2001, and was appointed Colchester Hospital’s Medical Director in 2015. Her roles included lead clinician for Paediatric Services, Divisional director for Women’s and Children’s Services and subsequently divisional director for Surgery before she was appointed to the Chief Medical Officer role.


Kate Read, Chief People Officer
Kate is an experienced Director of People with over 25 years experience working within the NHS. Kate has extensive experience in both HR and education with a proven track record of delivering workforce transformation, cultural change, and organisational development. With extensive knowledge of employment law, workforce planning, staff wellbeing, and equality, diversity & inclusion (EDI), Kate plays a pivotal role in shaping a high-performing, compassionate workforce aligned with the values of the NHS.
As a member of the Trust Board, Kate provides expert guidance on workforce strategy, ensuring the Trust recruits, retains, and develops an inclusive workforce. Kate also works closely with clinical and operational leaders to ensure that staffing structures support safe, effective care.
With a commitment to staff engagement and continuous improvement, Kate champions the NHS People Promise and leads on initiatives that promote psychological safety, leadership development, and organisational learning.
Non-Voting Members of the Trust Board
We have a number of directors who are not voting members of the Trust Board, but who may attend Board meetings.


Karen Lough, Chief Operating Officer - Elective and Cancer Care
Karen is a highly experienced director of operations and has worked in the NHS for 20 years. Karen began her career in the NHS at Ipswich Hospital. She has worked in a large teaching hospital and also in commissioning across the East of England. Karen’s focus is on elective and diagnostic services across the Trust.


Doug Ward, Director of Estates and Facilities
Doug is a chartered engineer and chartered environmentalist with over 35 years’ experience in operational management, managing the full range of estates & facilities management, including major, multi-million pound capital infrastructure inward investment acute hospital construction in London and Newcastle upon Tyne Teaching NHS Trusts.