Meet your Governors

Avril Clarke
(re-elected)

Why do you want to be a Governor?

Presently I’m a service-user and volunteer at the recovery academy and within the older life services encouraging service-users to use creativity as a part of their recovery. I bring knowledge of the challenges service-users face to the forefront of discussions and ensure our voices are represented. I hope to represent all service-users, carers, staff, and general public, focusing on the service user’s needs.

What experience and skills do you feel you could bring to the role?

My experiences allow a unique perspective having been both a Nurse and service-user I understand both the strains and stresses on the staff and can empathise with the affects the on service-users. I was elected as governor when the pandemic hit. Despite this I have still managed to play an integral role in representing service-user point of view in many areas of the trust. For instance, our role in the redevelopment of Park House, North Manchester for which GMMH was awarded a service-user involvement award from the Royal Society of Psychiatrists. I was also involved in the recent CQC inspection making both written and verbal contributions.  I am currently in process of developing a service-user forum within the Trafford area. This will give more representation to the service users in the community. I continue to work as an artist promoting the use of creativity in all areas of The Trust. Thinking creatively allows for different options in resolving and developing issues and ideas.

Term of office ends: 31 March 2026

Simon Morton

Why do you want to be a Govenor?

I have extensive experience of caring for a loved who has been supported by GMMH for mental health problems. I want to make a positive difference in the lives of people who receive care and treatment from GMMH, for whom people like me are 'loved ones'. Often, we know more about the needs of those we love and care for than the professionals who are working with them, and yet it can feel to us like our insights and expertise are too often undervalued, and even ignored. Staff should be supported not only to view carers/loved ones as allies in their therapeutic work but also as having mental health and wellbeing needs in their own right. I would like to support staff development and the direction of mental health service transformation by bringing a strong focus on the carer perspective, and the assets carers and loved ones bring.

What experience and skills do you feel you could bring to the role?

I retired last summer after thirty-five years working in health and social care, including in GMMH. Currently, I am a Parent and Public Voice (PPV) member of NHSE's National Quality Improvement Taskforce for children and young people's mental health inpatient services. I am a regular contributor to the Central Manchester Living Well Service Design Collaborative meetings, and recently attended the first Carer Focus Group meeting. In addition to a professional background and personal experience of caring, I have academic skills.  I am currently completing an MSc in Mental Health Science where I am researching what effective support for carers looks like.

Term of office ends: 31 March 2026

Nathan Anthony Prescott

Why do I want to be a Governor?

I want to be able to help shape a service that is user friendly, that respects the dignity of each INDIVIDUAL patient as well as their families/friends and carers. One that learns quickly from its' mistakes and ensures NO ONE slips through the net. I will reach out to other service users to find out what they need from the service, then lobby for any adjustments needed.I will fight for a system that offers transparency and choice to its service users. I'll strive to bring mental health care in line with the rest of our NHS so service users have a choice of who they see and can ask for second opinion. I want to be a governor so I can work with the trust to secure additional funding to bring waiting times down, review Care Quality Commission inspection results and push to ensure changes are made to become OUTSTANDING in all areas and make GMMH foundation trust the best it can be.

What experience and skills do you feel you could bring to the role?

As a mental health service user, I've experienced the service doing well but also when things go badly wrong; giving me insight and perspective. As director of a management company, I have the skills to identify poor performance and ability to problem solve to provide the best on a given budget. As a qualified pharmacist, I have great medical knowledge as well as compassion, respect and empathy.

Term of office ends: 31 July 2025

Patrick McKelvey

Why do you want to be a Governor?

I have been a carer for my daughter for the last 8 years who suffered from Anorexia and is now in recovery. During this very difficult time my family and I have experienced many difficult situations and learnt a great deal on how to support a loved one suffering from an eating disorder. During this difficult time, there was limited support for carers, and I took a positive step by involving myself in the various groups mentioned to instil positive change. I am passionate about assisting the development of the support for carers and their loved ones dealing with an eating disorder and would greatly value this opportunity to work with professionals to support the implementation of changes to improve the services GMMH offers to adults/children with eating disorders and other mental health issues.

What skills do you feel you could bring to the role?

As a Police officer, I dealt with people who were in crisis and at a Senior level dealing with NHS departments and trying to improve the care for people with Mental health issues. As a University Lecturer I saw the array of mental health issues within universities. I am involved in several eating disorder support groups working regularly with GMMH as a volunteer co facilitator in Parent and Carer group sessions and as an Echo Peer Coach for BEAT supporting carers dealing with eating disorders. I have the knowledge and experience to instil clear change.

Term of office ends: 30 September 2024

Dr Anna Fryer

Term of office ends: 31 July 2025

Katie Mowat

Why do I want to be a Governor?

I want to become a governor, because, as the only Deaf representative on the board I can bring forward ideas and promote change. As a profoundly Deaf BSL user I understand, firsthand, the importance of having accessible standards throughout the trust. Being part of the GMMH governors board I would strive for all information to be accessible to everyone.

What experience and skills do you feel you could bring to the role?

I have firsthand experience of how barriers to accessing information can lead to frustration and low staff morale. I have ideas of how to make the necessary adjustments. This would benefit not only Deaf patients and staff, but this would reach a wider group of people, for example other spoken languages, learning difficulties/capacity.

The BSL Bill was passed in 2022. I would be able to provide the necessary support in ensuring that we are meeting legal requirements and standards. This will help provide outstanding service quality and contribute to the BSL national plan regarding Deaf people’s health.

I have been working in MH services for over 20 years, with specialism in Deaf mental health services throughout the UK. I have learned many skills that I would utilise in this role such as, team working, communication and promoting new and innovating ideas for positive change. This has also given me exposure to financial and contractual structures, and the opportunity to learn about this more in-depth strategic overview. 

Term of office ends: 31 March 2026

Nnoluka Udeorji

Why do you want to be a Governor?

With over 10 years’ experience and having done bank shifts in almost 90% of the wards within the trust, I have gathered unique skills and learning, only acquired by experience. Which in turn enables me to get on well with both service users and staff. And able to provide as well as understand the type of services expected or required. And I say that with all humility. In a nutshell. I want to be a Governor, to help the Trust realise its main goal of actualising excellent service for service users and a working environment admirable for staff to work

What experience and skills do you feel you could bring to the role?

I have very good listening skill, patience and humour which gives me that connection firsthand with both service users and staff plus the empathy to go with it.

VACANT

Eugen Negrutiu

Why do I want to be a Governor?

During my discussions with the community, especially Trust employees, I have noticed some degree of restraint in staff engagement in overall Trust service improvement. Some of the causes appear to be the diminished available time to do that, because of the increased work load, and the doubt their ideas would be followed up. I want to address this issue by becoming the liaison agent in this communication as their representative, making sure Staff, or any Local Community Member have a dedicated time for feedbacking their ideas on performance improvement, they are aware of the pathways to do that and are involved, and this is followed up and taken aboard by management, consistent to the Trust Values.

What experience and skills do you feel you could bring to the role?

Part of the Non-Clinical Staff constituency, Economist with 2 Master's Degrees, with broad Project Management experience, and a fresh view on NHS matters.

Term of office ends: 31 March 2026

Samantha Airey

Term of office ends: 31 July 2025

Jane Lee
(re-elected)

Why do I want to be a Governor?

The expertise of allied health professionals transforms lives. As a governor I will continue to:

• To represent views of and issues affecting AHP staff
• To promote the AHP national and local strategy
• To inform council about the roles of the AHP staff, the evidence for the impact on mental health services 
• To inform about the experience of AHP's in service delivery 
• To provide knowledge of contemporary mental health services and evidence base
• To contribute to the development of a well resourced and evidence based mental health service 

What experience and skills do you feel you could bring to the role?

I have 30 years experience of working in different fields of mental health, experience as a carer, experience and skills in service development and experience of working with user and family networks and groups  I have extensive CPD including psychology and OT to degree level. Employment rehabilitation to MSC level. PGCE and training in psychological and sociological models. I have an overall view of mental health services and a vision of a well resourced and evidence based service.

Term of office ends: 31 March 2026

Les Allen

(re-elected)

As a Governor i want to create seamless links between myself and the members of the Trust who live in Bolton. This would involve working with key members in the Bolton Network who are working to improve services they and GMMH provide. This would also incorporate working with other Governors and the Trust Board to rebuild trust and confidence in the Trusts  services.

i am a CIPFA/FCCA  qualified accountant  with many years Senior Finance experience within Local NHS Trusts and involvement with many service changes. I will have served as a Governor of the Trust for three years up to March 2023 with the last two years being Lead Governor. During that time i have attended both Governor and the Board of Director meetings remotely and live. With the latter meetings i have been able to observe the interaction of the Non Executives with the Board of Directors and how the Board are held to account.

As Lead Governor/Governor i have been involved with the following:

• Member of the Nominations Committee - overseeing the appointment of the Chair, Non Executive Directors when applicable, agreeing pay rises for the Chair/Non Executive Directors.
• Member  of the Membership Strategy Governor Working Group - covering an Engagement plan for Members and Development sessions for Governors.
• Lead Governor scrutiny of the current issues facing the Trust and if re- elected would continue this scrutiny.

Term of office ends: 31 March 2026

Asif Naliya

Over the past 18 years, I have worked a variety of positions, including senior support worker, care coordinator and director leaving me well practised in the field of mental health.

I believe having provided my clients, many of whom I have served for several years, with the support they require has given me an insight into the necessities needed within this sector. This knowledge will be invaluable to the role, and I look forward to representing my Bolton community and suggesting ideas to improve the delivery of care the service users receive.

Networking with colleagues and other agencies I also greatly enjoy, so collaborating with the team in the NHS trust to bring a positive change is something I am passionate about.

Term of office ends: 31 July 2025

John Boocock

Term of office ends: 31 March 2026

James Creer

I am a confident, critically engaged, and passionate advocate for quality, safe and accessible mental health services for all. 

Everyone deserves quality, safe, reliable, and respectful mental health services. This is not always people's experience and Trusts need critical friends to help them deliver for the communities they serve. 

I am the critical friend the Trust needs in this challenging time. I work for a mental health charity and have the confidence to ask tough questions to deliver accountability. I was previously a Public Governor for Durham in TEWV NHS Trust where I was a respected critical friend to both Non-Executive and Executive Directors. They welcomed and valued the questioning and challenge I provided to ensure safe and quality provision for the patients and public we served. 

I joined TEWV when a ward was under investigation by the CQC. I scrutinised all the reports and documentation around this and held the trust accountable for events before and after it. I was a voice for Durham residents, patients, and their families to best ensure that the services being delivered were of the quality everyone should expect.

I would bring a fresh perspective to help more voices be represented and strive to support the diversification of representation so that everyone can hear their voice within the Council of Governors work. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is critical for effective healthcare, governance, and representation so I would strive to work with the Council and Trust to work on this further.

Term of office ends: 31 March 2026

Iris Nickson
(re-elected)

I have twenty years' experience in education, seven in the Behavioural, Emotional and Social Difficulties sector. As a senior teacher, I demonstrated that I am empathetic, can listen constructively, can be adaptable and work collaboratively.

As a governor I have participated in many activities such as the Festival of Learning, all CQC Monitoring Meetings, governor training events and the apprenticeship programme. I am a member of several committees and attend the Council of Governors and Board of Directors meetings at which I have consistently promoted transparency and accountability as key to the achievement of safe and sustainable services. I have insisted on complete and accurate records of meetings and I have never claimed expenses for any travel or incidental costs.

Over the last six years, I have applied these skills to my governor role and I have raised concerns with several multi-agency teams such as:

• Trafford Carers
• Care Quality Commission (CQC)
• General Medical Council (GMC)
• Nursing and Midwifery Council 
• Greater Manchester County Council 
• Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council

Term of office ends: 31 March 2026

James Griffin

In recent years there have been many changes to the way services are provided for by the NHS. I recognise that there is brilliant work being done by our NHS professionals. We still need to create further opportunities for improvement. Focus on the priorities of local people and use my skills and experience to represent  the views and concerns of our residents and service.

I am  effective at getting across arguments both in spoken form and in writing,  I have co-produced and delivered academic presentation with GMMH  professionals. I have been  involved in the delivery of training for GMMH staff. I have successfully secured funding for new technologies for GMMH  staff and service users. I have taken part in international public speaking about mental health services with GMMH staff. I have been a member of  job interview panels for GMMH staff, social worker, mental health nurse,  modern matron, operational director positions. I have been involved in group helping by sharing my knowledge of  acceptance and commitment therapies and mindfulness and sharing the skills I have learnt through my own lived experience to help support service users. I have written a number of articles about mental health service and my own lived experience and recovery journey. Have been a recipient of the values in to action 'highly commended' award presented to me at the Lowry at the GMMH annual conference.

Term of office ends: 31 March 2026

Paul Baker

I want to be a governor because I want to be part of the transformation of mental health support for people in crisis. I am a community development worker in mental health. I have lived and worked in Manchester most of my life.

In 2020 I helped to establish CHARM in Manchester, a new kind of mental health organisation, bringing together experts by experience, families, workers and citizens to advocate for change and to call out failings when they occur. CHARM places the provision of continuous, relational support that is wrapped around the person at the top of its priorities.

I co-founded the international hearing voices movement in the 1980's and am a member of the board.This movement began in Manchester (we do things differently here!) Today I facilitate a weekly Hearing Voices Support Group in Manchester.  The movement has influenced changes in mental health policy and practice, encouraging a more person-centred and recovery-oriented approach to supporting people who hear voices.

Term of office ends: 31 March 2026

 Fred Leatherbarrow

I am 75 years old and have lived in Manchester most of my life, left school in 1963 and served an apprenticeship in miter mechanic followed by the fumigation industry. I then became a licensee and ran several public houses. Later becoming an operational manager for a leisure company and I am a qualified stock auditor.

Since retiring I am part of Wythenshawe Age Friendly and produce a monthly newsletter.

I have also been part of Manchester well-being fund and south Manchester neighbourhood group.

Term of Office ends: 31 July 2025

Adele Taylor

I am now retired. I have been a teacher in Further Education teaching Film Theory, I have been a Youth Worker running a project for 16 - 25 year olds who were homeless and unemployed and I have worked in prisons. I have worked as a volunteer in various charities and have been a volunteer at Manchester Museum since 2001. I am from Manchester but lived in the South of England for 20 years. I have two children and a cat.

Term of Office ends: 31 July 2025

Pam Gilligan

I represent the people's voice - having worked at the heart of our community for almost two decades - designing services for our most vulnerable residents, including those experiencing mental health distress.

Working with my amazing team of staff and volunteers I have evolved our Charity from a humble coffee morning in Lowton into a Queen's award-winning Charity. As CEO I have experience participating in strategic discussions and most importantly lived experience of supporting hundreds of people, our most vulnerable in our Borough and proud to be part of their journey from the depths of despair to becoming a valued member of the community. 

Over these past 20 years, supporting people first hand who live with anxiety, depression and other illnesses has taught me how quickly they can fall into despair. Therefore, I care passionately about improving mental health services, so they restore hope and purpose to those experiencing distress – giving people a renewed sense of belonging to their community. 

Term of Office ends: 31 July 2025

Term of Office ends: 31 July 2025

Angela Beadsworth

Why do I want to be a Governor?

I’ve worked in public service for 36 years and am currently working in the Manchester and Trafford health & social care arena as Head of Workforce to improve access to a range of services through system & service redesign. In that time I’ve accessed a range of mental health services for close family relatives and so have my own personal narrative for wanting to become a Governor at GMMH. I also feel I can contribute to governance responsibilities as I’m solution focussed, analytical and can understand and navigate outcomes for complex issues.

What experience and skills do you feel you could bring to the role?

I’ve worked in public service at Senior level for over 20 years and I’m a chartered Fellow of the Institute of Personnel & Development. I can bring my experience & working knowledge of the current GM health & social care system so aware of it’s challenges & opportunities as I’m currently delivering the HRService to Trafford CCG and leading the Commissioning integration work stream. I have written & presented governing body, Remcom & council of Member reports. I have a coaching style and can facilitate discussions and ensure I actively listen to people’s views ensuring all have a voice. I care passionately about improving public service and being accountable is one of my key personal values. If I was selected I will do my utmost to assist Governing Body to hold the Trust to account & improve outcomes.

Term of office ends: 31 July 2025

Sharon Mason
(re-elected)

Serving as a Governor since start of the Pandemic, I observed the Trust faced many priorities during unprecedented times while keeping patients and the workforce at the forefront, maintaining responsibilities from a governance perspective, managing Covid data and a depleted workforce through staff sickness, deployment of non-clinical staff with experiences of care to clinical areas, because of the virus taking its hold.   

I have responded to independent investigation reviews on patient safety incidents using an insightful collaborative approach when questioning and holding the Trust to account; engaged in consultations on Annual Report and the Together Strategy, taken part in reducing falls collaboration, development of service user information passport work, and provided feedback with shared insights from service users and their families’ perspective and shared learning to a ‘GM Integrated Care Partnership People & Communities Engagement Framework’. Site visits presented opportunities to observe patient care and speak with staff and patients where appropriate enabling further insights into those services.

Term of office ends: 31 March 2026

Mat Ainsworth

Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA)

Mat Ainsworth is the Assistant Director for Employment (Strategy, Policy & Delivery) at the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. Mat is responsible for the delivery of the employment elements of GM’s groundbreaking devolution agreement and the Greater Manchester Strategy priority around good jobs for people to progress & develop. The key elements of this include the development of a whole population Working Well system to ensure people have the support and opportunities to secure and progress in work; developing a world-class jobs and progression service, working with Jobcentre Plus; and developing a GM approach to managing welfare reform that delivers job progression and addresses low pay.   The role includes significant joint working with partners across GM, especially those working in health, skills and economic development, as well as with central government departments, academics and Think Tanks.

Mat has previously worked for Salford City Council, Nottingham City Council, Jobcentre Plus and as a teacher and freelance translator in Slovenia.

Term of office ends: September 2021

DCI Jane Curran

Greater Manchester Police  

Jane Curran is a Detective Chief Inspector with Greater Manchester Police and has been a serving police officer for 28 years. Her role is GMP's Strategic Lead for Mental Health.  Jane has held leadership roles at GMP in Public Protection, Organised Crime Co-Ordination response, Prevent and Professional Standards Branch.  In 2012, Jane completed a PGC in Adult Safeguarding at the University of Salford alongside other public sector partners and worked with them to improve the adult safeguarding responses across Manchester and specifically at Trafford.  Her current role includes significant joint working with partners across GM to unify service delivery in respect of mental health need, ensuring that GM systems are integrated, effective, localised and focused on service user need.   

Term of office ends: 30 September 2024.

Rachel Tanner

Greater Manchester Adult Social Care

Term of Office ends: 31 January 2023

Dr Naomi Sharples

University of Salford

Emma Simpson

Greater Manchester VCSE

Appointed Governor Vacancy