Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is run by a Board of Directors made up of Executive and Non-Executive Directors. The Trust Board of Directors has a responsibility to make the best use of financial resources and deliver the services people need, to standards of safety and quality which are agreed nationally.
Read on to learn more about individual directors and the Board's overall responsibilities.
Trust Board meetings
Meetings of the Trust Board are held in public. Details of upcoming meetings can be found on our events page and a list of Board papers and agendas can be found in our Board Meetings section.
Can I submit a question to the Board of Directors?
Yes - questions will be considered by the Chair if they are sent by email to the Board Secretary up to 48 hours before the meeting. If the Chair believes the question is relevant to an item on the meeting's agenda, a response will be provided by the Board at the meeting. Email your question to our Board Secretary.
Our Executive Directors
Our Executive Directors are responsible for the day-to-day operation of the organisation. This includes managing committees and staff as well as developing business plans in collaboration with the Non-Executive Directors on the Board. Click on one of the drop-down accordions below to learn more about an individual Executive Director.
Mark became Chief Executive of Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust on 3 April 2023.
Prior to commencing with the Trust, Mark worked as Managing Director and Deputy Chief Executive at Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust. Mark, who lives in Derby, was appointed after a rigorous national recruitment process.
Mark has over 20 years’ experience of working in the NHS and previously worked for Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust as Chief Operating Officer, leading the Trust’s initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Previously Mark has worked as Executive Director of Operations at Burton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. He also has experience of working in public health, developing community health improvement programmes for children with obesity. He has also worked in acute, community and mental health commissioning through a previous role at South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust.
Contact
Mark Powell
Chief Executive
Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Ashbourne Centre
Kingsway Hospital
Derby
DE22 3LZ
Telephone: 01332 623700 ext 31206
Dr Chidambaram was appointed the Trust’s Medical Director in October 2022. 
A Forensic Consultant Psychiatrist by background, Arun was previously Deputy Chief Medical Officer and Locality Medical Director at Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust.
Arun has previously worked as a Deputy Medical Director across a number of organisations, including being the Interim Medical Director and Medical Director for Operations at Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust.
Arun holds two masters degrees in psychiatry and a postgraduate certificate in Healthcare Leadership. He has a wealth of clinical experience in addition to leadership expertise within a healthcare setting.
Contact
Arun Chidambaram
Medical Director
Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Ashbourne Centre
Kingsway Hospital
Derby, DE22 3LZ
Telephone: 01332 623700 ext 31202
Carolyn has been a member of the Trust’s Board of Directors since 2014.
A mental health nurse by background, Carolyn worked in south and west London after she qualified in 1995.
Carolyn has a Masters in Health Service Management and has been a Senior Lecturer and a Visiting Fellow.
Carolyn is committed to personalised care recovery principles and seeks to involve people with lived experiences of mental health services in service evaluation, education and quality improvement programmes. She always embraces technology and innovation and has designed many technical solutions to clinical practice challenges during her NHS career.
In August 2022, Carolyn became the Trust’s Interim Deputy Chief Executive and then went on to be Interim Chief Executive of the Trust in December 2022. In April 2023, Carolyn returned to her post as Director of Nursing and Patient Experience.
Contact
Carolyn Green
Interim Chief Executive
Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Ashbourne Centre
Kingsway Site
Derby, DE22 3LZ
Telephone: 01332 623700 ext 31206
Ade Odunlade became Chief Operating Officer of Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust on
5 July 2021.
Ade previously worked at Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust as Managing Director of one of the Trust’s three divisions, leading a large service providing mental health, learning disability and perinatal services across a number of London Boroughs.
Ade was also formerly the Associate Director of Operations for Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust.
He is a mental health professional with extensive experience in clinical leadership, clinical transformation, workforce development, learning and development, and senior management roles gained over the last 30 years.
He has a wide range of qualifications and experience as a professional including in medical sociology, therapy, project management, coaching and healthcare leadership.
Ade has an underlying philosophy of helping individuals to achieve and a sense of responsibility in safeguarding high standards focusing on patient needs and staff support with care and compassion.
Ade is responsible for the Trust's Estates and IT departments as well as being the JUCD system Senior Responsible Officer (SRO) for Learning Disabilities and Autism.
Ade was appointed the Trust's Interim Deputy Chief Executive in December 2022.
Contact
Ade Odunlade
Chief Operating Officer & Interim Deputy Chief Executive
Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Ashbourne Centre
Kingsway Hospital
Derby, DE22 3LZ
Telephone: 01332 623700 ext 31202
Rachel has been a fully qualified Chartered
Management Accountant since 2004. She joined Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust in 2008 and during her time with the Trust she has covered various roles within the Finance Team including being the Deputy Finance Director since 2013, before taking up the Interim Director of Finance role from November 2022.
Rachel has worked within the NHS since 1996 after graduating from Portsmouth University with a degree in Mathematics for Finance and Management. Rachel has worked across both acute and mental health provider organisations, starting her career in the Contracting Team at the University Hospital of Southampton.
As Interim Executive Director of Finance, Rachel is responsible for the Trust’s strategic financial planning, establishing the financial framework within which the Trust operates, the financial control and the financial performance of the Trust, and ensuring that the Trust meets its statutory and regulatory financial requirements.
Contact
Rachel Leyland
Executive Director of Finance
Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Ashbourne Centre
Kingsway Hospital
Derby, DE22 3LZ
Telephone: 01332 623700 ext 31205
Jaki joined the Trust as Director of People
and Inclusion on 17 August 2020. Jaki came to the Trust from a role as People Director for Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust. Jaki was seconded through the NHS Executive Talent Scheme to Shropshire from her role as Deputy Director of OD in Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and has prior experience inside and outside the NHS at Director level including at United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust.
Jaki, who lives in Nottinghamshire, spent her childhood in Derbyshire and then trained as a nurse in Derby, before moving into roles in occupational health, training and human resources.
She spent a number of years in Cycling UK, latterly as Vice Chair, and is particularly proud of the work the group did in raising the profile of women in cycling and supporting programmes for inclusive cycling.
Jaki has a keen and active interest in inclusion both within and outside the professional role, and aims to build on the work the Trust has already achieved in this area, supporting the Board’s goal of making the Trust a great place for people to work, thrive and give great care.
Contact
Jaki Lowe
Director of People and Inclusion
Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Ashbourne Centre
Kingsway Hospital
Derby
DE22 3LZ
Telephone: 01332 623700 ext 31222
Vikki Ashton Taylor began in post as the Trust’s Director of Strategy, Partnerships and Transformation on 1 June 2022.
Vikki has worked in the NHS for 25 years undertaking a range of both operational and strategic roles across acute, commissioning and regulatory organisations, including a number of years as an Executive Director.
Vikki’s most recent role was the Lead Director for Joined Up Care Derbyshire and she brings a wealth of system-related experience and expertise.
Vikki lives in Derbyshire and volunteers as a Magistrate for the Ministry of Justice.
Contact
Vikki Ashton Taylor
Director of Strategy, Partnerships and Transformation
Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Ashbourne Centre
Kingsway Hospital
Derby, DE22 3LZ
Telephone: 01332 – 623700 extension 31209
Justine Fitzjohn joined us as Trust Secretary in June 2019.
Justine joined the Trust from University Hospitals of Derby & Burton (UHDB) NHS Foundation Trust, where she was the Deputy Director of Governance. She brings a broad range of experience in regulation, statutory and legal compliance.
Justine’s responsibilities include arrangements for the Trust Board, Board Committees and Council of Governors, alongside membership, legal affairs, Freedom of Information and Freedom to Speak Up.
Contact
Justine Fitzjohn
Trust Secretary and SIRO
Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Ashbourne Centre
Kingsway Hospital
Derby, DE22 3LZ
Telephone: 01332 623700 ext 31212
Our Non-Executive Directors
Our Non-Executive Directors (or NEDs) are members of the Trust's Board of Directors but are not members of the executive management team. They provide independent oversight, both at the Trust Board and by serving on Board committees. Click on a drop-down accordion below to learn more about an individual Non-Executive Director.
Selina Ullah became Chair of Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust on 14 September
2021. This followed a comprehensive recruitment process.
Selina had been a Non-Executive Director at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust for six years and became its Vice Chair and Senior Independent Director in 2019. Selina’s appointment was approved by the Trust’s Council of Governors in its meeting on 6 July 2021.
Selina is a Board member for the Muslim Women’s Council, having previously been its Chair for 10 years. She is also a Lay Board Member at the General Pharmaceutical Council.
Contact
Selina Ullah
Trust Chair
Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Ashbourne Centre
Kingsway Site
Derby, DE22 3LZ
Telephone: 01332 623700 ext 31205
Tony Edwards joined the Trust as a Non-Executive Director on 1 August 2022. He is chair of the Trust’s Finance and Performance
Committee. Tony holds a BA in Accounting and Finance and is a Charted Accountant. Tony spent the first half of his career in senior finance roles in manufacturing and then a further 17 years in business unit leadership roles with Filtrona plc and Luxfer Holdings plc. Tony spent 11 years as a Governor at Nottingham Trent University and is currently a Governor at University of Derby, where he sits on the Strategy, Finance and Planning Committee and chairs the Governance oversight board for the new Business School development project.
Tony has been appointed for a 3 year term of office ending 31 July 2025 and has also been appointed as Deputy Chair on 11 January 2023.
Contact
Tony Edwards
Deputy Chair and Non-Executive Director
Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Ashbourne Centre
Kingsway Site
Derby, DE22 3LZ
Geoff Lewins began in post as a Non-Executive Director at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust on 1 December 2017.
A qualified accountant by background, Geoff is the chair of the Trust’s Audit and Risk Committee. He joins colleagues on the Board of Directors in ensuring the organisation provides effective and high quality healthcare services to the local community and is governed properly and that patient interests are fully represented. Geoff is also the Freedom to Speak Up NED lead.
Geoff has more than 30 years’ experience in finance, IT and governance, having recently worked as Director of Financial Strategy for Rolls-Royce. He is also a Trustee of The Arkwright Society, an educational charity devoted to the rescue of industrial heritage buildings in Derbyshire.
Geoff was re-appointed for a second three-year term until 30 November 2023.
Contact
Geoff Lewins
Non-Executive Director
Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Ashbourne Centre
Kingsway Hospital
Derby, DE22 3LZ
Telephone: 01332 623700 ext 31201
Ashiedu Joel took up her role as a Non-Executive Director on 23 January 2020. She is the Trust Non-Executive Director lead for equality, diversity and inclusion and Chair of the Trust's Mental Health Act Committee.
Ashiedu Joel is an engineering graduate who runs her own business consultancy and training firm across the East Midlands. She has recently been participated in the NExT Director Programme with Leicestershire Partnership Trust and is also a Justice of the Peace.
Ashiedu is an elected member of Leicester City Council and has experience of supporting organisations, groups and individuals to engage constructively across racial, cultural and socio-environmental boundaries, while promoting opportunities for shared learning and collaboration.
Ashiedu has also held a number of Non-Executive posts and continues to be Executive of Clarion Voice, a charity working with young disadvantaged African heritage children through education, and a Trustee of The Bridge, which provides sustainable housing support, advice and solutions for homeless and vulnerable people in Loughborough and Leicester.
Ashiedu will undertake a further three-year term of office as a NED from 23 January 2023.
Contact
Ashiedu Joel
Non-Executive Director
Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Ashbourne Centre
Kingsway Hospital
Derby, DE22 3LZ
Telephone: 01332 623700 ext 31201
Deborah Good was appointed as Non-Executive Director at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust on 1 March 2022.
Deborah, a former Housing Director, holds a BA and a Postgraduate Diploma in Housing. She has spent most of her career in the social housing sector, working to improve the quality of services for local communities. 
Deborah has experience of serving on various multi-agency boards, including in her role as Executive Director of Customer Experience and Business Support at Solihull Community Housing and as Non-Executive Director at Derwent Living.
Deborah lives in Derbyshire and is a current Trustee of Artcore, a provider of visual arts to diverse communities across Derbyshire.
In her role as Non-Executive Director, Deborah will be a member of the Finance and Performance Committee, overseeing all aspects of financial management and operational performance. She will also sit on the Audit and Risk Committee, which ensures that the Trust has an effective system of integrated governance, risk management and internal control.
Deborah has been appointed for a three-year term of office, ending in March 2025.
Ralph Knibbs joined the Trust formally as a Non-Executive Director on the 1 July 2022. He is the chair of the Trust’s People and Culture Committee and Senior Independent Director.
For over 20 years, Ralph has operated as a Strategic Senior Human Resources Business Partner, with experience of working in both the public and private sector, as well as within complex international matrix organisations such as Rolls-Royce plc. Highly skilled at delivering people transformational change programmes to improve business performance. Possesses a deep understanding of team working through his extensive experience of professional sport. He is a passionate ally of equality, diversity and inclusion.
Ralph is currently the Head of Human Resources at United Kingdom Athletics Limited where he has been since 2011. From 2020, he has also undertaken a volunteer role as Vice-Chair of the RFU Diversity & Inclusion Implementation Working Group at the England Rugby Football Union with the aim to increase diversity and inclusion in the leadership and governance structures within the game.
He lives in Derbyshire and was appointed for a three-year term of office, ending on 30 June 2025.
Contact
Ralph Knibbs
Non-Executive Director
Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Ashbourne Centre
Kingsway Site
Derby, DE22 3LZ
Email: ralph.knibbs@nhs.net
Lynn is a highly experienced senior healthcare leader who joined the Trust as a designated Non-Executive Director on 5 September 2022.
Our previous Non-Execuitve Director and Deputy Chair, Dr Sheila Newport, has now completed her term of office. Sheila has worked closely with Lynn Andrews, who commenced in post as the Trust's clinical NED on 11 January.
Lynn’s roots are in Scotland where she qualified as a Registered Nurse before moving to the Midlands where she has worked in healthcare since 1987. Lynn has gained qualifications in nursing and NHS management and has a Master’s in Health Policy.
Throughout Lynn’s nursing career she has always worked in roles requiring ongoing professional, clinical and governance knowledge and skills. Lynn’s most recent post was on the Board at Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust as Executive Director of Nursing and Patient Care and lead for quality, with a portfolio responsibility including quality improvement, patient experience and safety, safeguarding and infection control.
Lynn has a strong commitment and passion to improving quality and experience for all patients and staff. Working with the East Midlands Strategic Health Authority and with the national NHS Teams, Lynn has gained an excellent understanding of healthcare and the requirements for regulation.
Lynn has lived in Derbyshire for over 20 years, enjoys running in South Derbyshire and the Peak District and was appointed for a three year term of office.
Role and Responsibilities of the Board of Directors
The Trust Board of Directors has a responsibility to make the best use of financial resources and deliver the services people need, to standards of safety and quality which are agreed nationally.
The role of the Board of Directors is to manage the Trust by:
- Setting the overall strategic direction of the Trust within the context of NHS priorities
- Regularly monitoring our performance against objectives
- Providing effective financial stewardship through value for money, financial control and financial planning
- Ensuring that the Trust provides high quality, effective and patient focused services through clinical governance
- Ensuring high standards of corporate governance and personal conduct
- Promoting effective dialogue between the Trust and the local communities we serve.
Our Trust Board meets monthly to discuss the business of the organisation. This meeting is held in public and anyone is welcome to attend and hear about our latest developments and performance.
Responsibilities of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors ensures that good business practice is followed and that the organisation is stable enough to respond to unexpected events, without jeopardising services, and confident enough to introduce changes where services need to be improved.
The Board of Directors carries the final overall corporate accountability for its strategies, its policies and actions as set out in the Codes of Conduct and Accountability issued by the Secretary of State. In order to discharge its responsibilities for the governance of the Trust, the Board has established a number of Committees of the Board.
Our Current Directors
To find out information about our current Board of Directors, please view their profiles above.
In making the most recent Non-Executive appointments, the Nominations Committee has taken account of the skills requirement advised by the Directors. The Trust Board is satisfied that all Directors are appropriately qualified to discharge their functions effectively, including ensuring management capacity and capability.
The Trust Board’s composition and range of skills and experience has been revisited as vacancies arise.
