Our Governors

John qualified from Liverpool Medical School in 1974 and subsequently trained in Nottingham, Cambridge, Liverpool, and Birmingham. He was appointed a Consultant in Accident and Emergency at Leighton Hospital in 1983 and continued in that role for 26 years. From 1998 to 2005, he also worked for one or two days per week as Associate/Deputy Postgraduate Dean in Liverpool, his main responsibility being to ensure that senior trainees in all specialities (apart from General Practice) were progressing satisfactorily, taking remedial action as necessary.

John took early retirement in 2009 in order to pursue his career as a magistrate. 

John was born in Lancashire but has lived in Cheshire since 1983 and was delighted to be appointed as a Public Governor, representing Crewe and South Cheshire. He applied to be a Governor as he has always been dedicated to the NHS but is very concerned about the challenges it now faces. 

I am now retired and living in Wistaston, Crewe. I am a wife, a mother and a grandmother.

My career has been in Education where I have served as a School Governor, a Head teacher and latterly as an Early Years Consultant. I qualified as an Ofsted Inspector but chose to follow Consultancy.

I gained my teaching qualification at Keele University, Institute of Education.

My Early Years Consultancy was with Sure Start where I was involved in monitoring, advising and training Early Years Practitioners. I also analysed data to ensure best practice and appropriate Child Development.

I worked with the Cheshire Unit of Performance and Assessment as a Moderator for Standard Assessment Tasks (SATS).

I was an Affiliate Member of the Chartered Institute of Education and Assessment.

I taught English as an Additional Language to any non-English speaking children in local schools and also as a volunteer to children and young adults in a refugee camp under the control of the Ockenden Venture.

My first employment was in hospital then retail Pharmacy, qualifying from the Society of Apothecaries of London.

The role of Public Governor representing the constituents of Crewe and South Cheshire interests me and excites me as it affords me the opportunity to engage with the constituents I represent, enabling me to raise any concerns and positive comments to the Trust about their experiences of their treatment at the hospital.

The concerns and positive comments help to monitor, evaluate and ensure continuous improvement in the already high quality standards of care allowing positive patient experiences and outcomes within the Trust. I feel privileged to be involved.

After spending 4 years teaching Mathematics, Valerie joined a national examination board based at Manchester University, where she was involved in syllabus development, liaising with schools, and question paper production. Valerie moved on to study for a personnel degree, becoming the Board’s Senior Personnel Officer. When she retired early, Valerie wanted to become involved with the NHS, so became a Volunteer with Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (MCHFT) in 2010, serving mostly on committees of different types. As part of her wider volunteer role, from January to May 2021, she was a Volunteer at the COVID Vaccination Centre at Leighton.

For the past 6 years, Valerie has been the Patient Representative on the Surgery and Cancer Divisional Board. Additionally, in 2019, she became a Public Governor for Patients and Carers. She is the Chair of the Nantwich Health Centre Patient Panel and, through that, became involved with the local Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and various groups relating to the Nantwich and Rural Care Community. She was involved in the early stages of the Self Care development material and became a CCG Self Care Champion.

Outside the above voluntary roles in the NHS, Valerie has been involved for 9 years as a parish councillor and latterly was Chair of the Parish Council.

For the past 6 years, she has opened her garden for the National Garden Scheme, which supports medical charities.

B.A. Music (Hons)(Open) M.B.ChB. (Leeds), FRCP London, FRCPCH

Bob is originally from Bolsover in North Derbyshire and graduated in medicine at Leeds University in 1970. He specialised in Paediatric medicine and after training in Glasgow and Liverpool, came as only the second paediatric consultant to Leighton hospital in November 1978.

During his years as a consultant, Bob developed a high level of understanding of how care is delivered in a secondary care setting across clinical disciplines and in multi-agency working at local, regional and national levels in the fields of child and adolescent neuro-disability, safeguarding and palliative care. Bob’s professional interests were particularly the care of children with long term and life limiting conditions, and medical education. Bob retired from clinical duties in 2008 and worked in undergraduate and postgraduate medicine for a further 5 years on a part-time basis.

Since retirement, Bob has worked as a Care Quality Commission (CQC) review team member, clinical service reviewer for the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) and others, a clinical teacher, medical student academic adviser and as a patient and carer for family and friends. He continued with a leadership role in projects when he was a Trustee of St Luke’s Hospice until 2019, and for Metabolic Support UK.

Bob is an active amateur musician, currently studying for an M.A (Music) with the Open University.

Jayne worked in the NHS for over 40 years as a registered nurse, initially working clinically and then transferring to nurse management. She worked in Bristol and Oxford before returning to the North West of England where she grew up, living in Sandiway and going to school in Northwich. Upon her return, Jayne lived in Crewe and worked at the Christie in Manchester for 12 years before being appointed as the Deputy Director of Nursing at Mid Cheshire Hospitals in 2008. Jayne worked in this role for nearly 10 years before retiring and returning to work as the Head of Nursing for Paediatrics and Gynaecology then becoming the Lead Nurse for Quality for CCICP and finally working as a Vaccination Nurse in 2020 before actually retiring in early 2022.Whilst working full time, Jayne studied for a first class BSc honours degree, Masters in business administration (MBA) and Diploma in risk management.Since her initial retirement, Jayne has volunteered as a Trustee for the End of Life Partnership, a charity which aims to improve the quality of life for people in Cheshire through education, leadership, innovation & collaborative partnerships and she has also volunteered as an Usher at Crewe Lyceum Theatre. She is also a lifelong Manchester United supporter and season ticket holder (for her sins!).Jayne is keen to work alongside staff, trust members and the public to understand their experiences and make use of these to help support and improve our local services - despite the challenges that are faced by the NHS. Jayne believes we must all work together to ensure high standards of quality care are delivered and the workforce remains motivated and supported to provide this essential care.

 Heiya is currently completing a bachelor's degree in biomedical sciences and has gained over two years of laboratory experience, alongside valuable involvement in research interviews. Her academic and practical background has given her a strong understanding of healthcare and the importance of high-quality patient care. As a Governor, she is keen to contribute my knowledge, skills, and passion for science to support the Trust in its decision-making, ensuring that both patient and community needs are represented. She looks forward to working collaboratively with the Council of Governors to help strengthen services and improve outcomes. 

 A belief in a publicly funded and provided NHS has been at the centre of Micks' values and beliefs from his earliest memories. From leaving university, Mick has been involved in healthcare. Soon after graduating from Lancaster, he began training as a nurse, and for the next four decades worked in a variety of capacities as a Registered Nurse. He has worked in both clinical practice and education and training over the course of the decades.

Having lived in Nantwich for some fourteen years, in 2013 he retired and went north to seek the sea. Retirement proved to be busy though, because he developed his own guided walks business, worked as a tour guide at Bamburgh Castle, and served the NHS as a Community First Responder with the North East Ambulance Service (for ten years), a public Governor (for two terms) at the Northumbria NHS Trust, and a lay representative at NHS England North East, working with the professional team on medical education and training throughout the region and nationally.

In 2023 for family reasons the decision was made to move back to Cheshire, and Nantwich was the destination of choice. Mick offered his services as a trained Community First Responder to North West Ambulance Service, and since April 2024 has been busy supporting the local community in that role. Having been a public governor in a complex and geographically disparate organisation he wanted to offer his services to the local community, and the trust, to be able to shape and influence how healthcare is provided. He believes that he has the insight, the hands on experience over many years but right up to today, and the persistence to allow him to be confident that he is going to be able to make a positive contribution to the work of the trust for the people in the community that he represents.

 Su has lived locally all her life and has over 20 years’ experience in governance, both within her community and nationally. She is the CEO of Shaping Governance, a company dedicated to helping boards strengthen their confidence and impact. Alongside her work in education and local government, Su has also led national health inequalities programmes and worked closely with the NHS to ensure the patient voice is heard. She brings this breadth of experience to her role as a hospital governor to support effective, people-centred decision-making.

Her commitment to the NHS is also deeply personal. Su has seen first-hand the care it has provided to her family over many years and values the difference it makes every day. She is passionate about making sure the voices of patients, families and staff continue to shape services, and looks forward to supporting, challenging and championing the hospital for the benefit of the whole community.

As someone who has benefited as a patient at both Leighton Hospital and Victoria Infirmary, Chris hopes to use his skills and experience to help the Trust make full use of its facilities and resources to best serve the health and wellbeing needs of its staff and patients.

Married with two grown-up children, Chris knows mid-Cheshire very well having lived in the Northwich area all of his life, other than short spells studying Economics at University and working in London and Chicago.

After leaving University, Chris enjoyed a long career in economic development and investment. This included 10 years as Cheshire Area Manager for the North West Regional Development Agency investing in land development and community regeneration projects across Cheshire and more recently at the University of Chester project managing the European-funded Cheshire and Warrington Business Growth Programme.

Chris is experienced in the work of Governing bodies, having served as Chair of Trustees of Cheshire Wildlife Trust from 2012 to 2018 and as a Governor at Weaverham High School from 2005 to 2021, roles that proved to be both challenging and rewarding.

Chris’ hobbies and interests include watching local sport, playing crown green bowls and enjoying Cheshire’s natural environment.

 Mark was first elected as a Governor for Northwich, now known as Northwich and Region, constituency in 2017.

His passion for the NHS drove his motivation to become a Governor. This comes from having a family member who works within clinical services (not at the Mid-Cheshire Hospitals Foundation Trust) and experience being a patient at Leighton over an extended period.

Mark believes it is important that the voice of the people, who use the trust, is heard so that they receive the best healthcare services while recognising the constraints facing the Trust at times of considerable challenges and change.

In his professional career, Mark works in PR and communications and has experience working with a number of NHS Trusts and agencies.

As well as attending the Council of Governors, Mark sits on the Membership and Engagement Committee and is the governor representative on the monthly Because You Matter Awards’ panel which recognises, celebrates and showcases the fantastic achievements, hard-work and dedication of staff at the Trust.

Gareth was born in South Wales but moved to Northwich as a baby. Educated locally he left school at 15 and joined Cheshire Police, working primarily in the east of the county. On retiring in 2008 he took a short break then started working for the then Cheshire County Council on the Road Safety Unit responsible for arranging cycle training for young people.

After a few years he moved to the Education Welfare department of the now Cheshire West and Chester Council as the Authority’s Child Licensing Officer ensuring the safeguarding of young people in employment, and engaged in TV, film, radio, stage and modelling work. He still carries out this role but recently on a part time basis.

Over the years he has been involved in the local Scout group, has been a Parish Councillor and a Primary and High School Governor.

 Alison has lived in Northwich all her life, and has been privileged - together with her parents and extended family - to have received excellent care from MCHT’s hospitals.

She has enjoyed a long career within the IT sector, and has been working within the trust for the past 4 years. She also sits on the Patient Panel for NWAS; where challenging topics are covered with the aim to improve services for the many (not the few).

Passionate about health and the NHS, Alison is delighted to have been appointed as a Public Governor. She looks forward to working with the trust to ensure people in the Northwich and Region continue to receive the best levels of care.

Helen has lived in Northwich for over 20 years. She is currently the deputy CEO of an 11-school academy trust, having previously been headteacher of two schools.  Her work involves her helping schools to be the very best they can be for every child for their academic and personal development.  Her role involves supporting all aspects of school leadership including developing people and practice, HR advice, finance support and aspects of premises, health & safety and risk management. She has had extensive experience working with governors and Trustees in the education sector which she welcomes being able to bring to challenge, lead and support and make a positive difference.

Her passion for the NHS comes from an early age, witnessing its care for her disabled mother and more recently its care for her partner who sadly passed with covid. Her daughter is a nurse in an NHS hospital and her granddaughter was recently born in one. 

I moved to Cheshire from the South East some 30 years ago.  I’ve lived in Middlewich since then.

I’ve been a member of the Trust for some years and now I am in a position where I can contribute more.  Becoming a governor will allow me to make a greater contribution.

I worked in education as teacher, then adviser and inspector evaluating and advising teachers, head teachers, governing bodies and local authorities.  I was a governor in my parish primary school for 25 years. I’ve spent decades in volunteer roles with my subject association including national Chair and Trustee.  I served as a magistrate for more than 26 years and I chair the Steering Committee of the national consortium for safety in school science.

Alongside my working life I’ve always volunteered, with the wish to help improve life for others.  Working and volunteering have drawn on, and developed, my skills and knowledge as well as using my personal attributes including working hard and enthusiastically.  Through work in a range of educational roles I’ve learned to participate in and lead teamwork, to plan and manage and evaluate effectiveness of plans.  Work and voluntary roles have developed my knowledge and skills in governance, making evidence-based judgements and strategic planning locally and nationally.

Sam has been Councillor for Northwich Witton Ward since 2014. He previously worked in the Police Force and now dedicates his time between his duties as a Councillor and his family, being a parent and grandparent.

He lives in Northwich and is a key part of many local organisations including being a Councillor on Northwich Town Council and a Board Member for Rudheath Academy Trust and Warrington and Vale Royal College and is a Member of the Northwich Rugby Club.

Sam is heavily involved with various Outside Bodies as well as now being on the Mid-Cheshire Hospitals Foundation Trust, including sitting on the Cheshire Brine Subsidence Compensation Board, the Cheshire Police and Crime Panel, the Domestic Abuse Partnership, and the Lion Salt Works Trust. He also has been appointed by the Leader of the Council as Armed Forces Champion for several years now.

Bio to follow

Vanessa has been a Nurse for 20 years and has enjoyed a variety of roles both in the private and public sector. She has an acute surgical background and critical care skills, which were called upon during the height of the pandemic in 2020.

Vanessa is a keen Nurse campaigner and GMB workplace organiser, but when she’s not working she loves to sing in The Nightingales Choir, and enjoys dancing ballet, tap and jazz most weeks.

She has recently accepted a role with the Health & Safety team, as one of our Moving & Handling Trainers at the Trust.

Keith has worked as a GP in Nantwich for over 20 years. Since 2016 he has also provided clinical oversight for our GP Out of Hours service and Urgent Treatment Centre, having previously been Clinical Lead for Urgent Care for the local Clinical Commissioning Group. During this CCG role, Keith and his colleagues identified that GP training involving positively managing risk could usefully be deployed in a hospital setting. As a result, he supported a pilot scheme for hospital based intermediate care beds that resulted in a successful business case for the scheme to become permanent. Having worked in several settings throughout the UK and abroad, Keith is a strong believer in appropriate skills mix and supporting all staff to work autonomously at the upper limits of their potential, to the benefit of patient care. Keith is motivated by making working practices more cohesive. 

John and his wife have lived in the catchment area for Leighton Hospital for 40 years and have both received care from Leighton Hospital on more than one occasion. For more than ten years John has been a volunteer with the chaplaincy team at Leighton. He also assisted with the Covid 19 Vaccination programme.

John initially qualified in biomedical sciences working at Manchester University and Manchester Royal Infirmary and later The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto and Seneca College Toronto. He returned to the UK in 1972 and since then has worked in the commercial world of pharmaceuticals and medical equipment in several Board level positions and for the last twenty years prior to his retirement as a consultant working with DfID, European Commission, World Bank and others, offering help primarily with healthcare and education issues internationally. Along the way John added a post graduate teaching qualification in higher and further education, an MBA and a PhD in Management Development.

Since his retirement in addition to his volunteer work at Leighton John has worked as an adviser and trainer for Citizens Advice Bureau in Cheshire and was for six years a Chaplain at St Luke’s Hospice. He was also a Trustee of The end of Life Partnership.

John continues to cover out of hours church of England Chaplaincy needs at Leighton as well as being non stipendiary curate to St Mary’s Whitegate and St Peter’s Little Budworth.

 Laura is a Respiratory Specialist Practitioner within the Integrated Respiratory Team and has over 15 years’ NHS experience across hospital, community and educational settings. She is a passionate advocate for nurses and midwives, dedicated to improving outcomes, supporting staff wellbeing and ensuring staff voices help shape the future of healthcare. As a Queen’s Nurse, Laura is part of a national network that champions excellence in community nursing, professional development and innovation in care. Holding a Master of Public Health and training in health assessment and prescribing, Laura believes strongly in the importance of reducing health inequalities through integrated, high quality community care, as set out in the NHS Long Term Plan. 

Outside work, Laura swaps her uniform for overalls and wellies, enjoying family life on their council farm with her husband and two children.

VACANT

Sue has over 14 years’ experience working in the NHS starting her journey in Cancer Services and then moving working across the NHS working for Stoke and Staffordshire Clinical Commissioning Group, the Ambulance Service and has now joined Mid Cheshire Hospital in June 2021 as the Head of Contracts.

Her role allows her insight into the challenges facing the NHS, particularly Mid Cheshire Trust, and her close working with colleagues across the organisation highlights the impact not only on the service we deliver to our patients but also our staff. Sue is looking forward to working with fellow governors and hopes to help shape the future of Mid Cheshire Hospital with staff at the heart of its plans.

 Mike is the Lead Radiographer at the Community Diagnostic Centre based at the Victoria Infirmary in Northwich. He has over 8 years NHS experience with 5 of those being as a radiographer for Mid Cheshire based at Leighton. During this time, he has worked in plain film X-ray, CT, MRI and DEXA scanning giving him a breadth of experience which has enabled him to work with a range of different professions as a part of the multi-disciplinary team.

Mike is passionate about Radiology and the roles of radiographers in patient care and is dedicated to improving patient outcomes and staff wellbeing. He has a keen interest in DEXA scanning and osteoporosis management at mid cheshire and is currently training to report DEXA scans. As an improvement champion within radiology Mike is always keen to bring in new ideas and try and improve current processes.

Outside of work Mike plays rugby for Wilmslow RUFC, enjoys playing golf and walking his Golden Retriever Gus with his wife.