Our Board

Our Board

We’re very proud of the team we’ve built here.

We’ve always been an organisation defined by bringing together talented people with a shared vision and passion for helping us to be the best we can be for our patients.

All of our people are united by a set of six core values, that apply to everything we do to help improve the health and wellbeing of the communities that we serve.

Our Board of Directors is responsible for ensuring the quality and safety of healthcare services, education, training and research delivered by the Trust and applying the principles and standards of clinical governance set out by the Department of Health, the Care Quality Commission, and other relevant NHS bodies. It also makes sure that the Trust exercises its functions effectively, efficiently and economically.

Chair

Dr Ratnarajah is a GP partner at Stonehill Medical Centre and was chairman and clinical lead of the former NHS Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group. He has been working to address health inequalities within Bolton and is passionate about improving the diversity of decision makers in Bolton.

Originally from Sri Lanka, Dr Ratnarajah grew up in London and trained in Bolton and has been a GP in the town since 2010.

He joined the Board of Directors of the Foundation Trust in June 2023, as our Chair.

He will use his extensive experience of general practice to drive forward the collaborative work underway in Bolton to enhance the care provided to local people.

I’m passionate about everyone in Bolton, irrespective or where they live or what their background is, having access to the best possible care we can provide – in the right place and at the right time for their needs…for a better Bolton.

Executive Directors

Fiona was appointed Chief Executive in April 2020. Fiona started her career as a Radiographer and has extensive clinical and management experience.

Fiona is determined to bring out the best in herself and others through promoting high standards.

My priority is the delivery of continuous improvements to develop patient and user-centred services, and ensuring an inclusive environment for staff to flourish…for a better Bolton.

James joined Bolton NHS Foundation Trust in 2018 and has a wealth of experience at a senior level in the NHS.

He ensures that our workforce has the tools and support to be the best they can be in their roles. He leads the Trust’s engagement, development and wellbeing programmes, has a passion for inclusivity, and strives to make sure we represent our diverse population and workforce in all that we do.

James truly believes that brilliant patient care is a direct result of a workforce that is supported to be the best they can be, and is dedicated to listening and working in partnership with our staff to ensure that we keep doing what we do well, and develop the areas we need to do better in.

I am committed to supporting and developing our brilliant staff so that they can provide the best possible patient care…for a better Bolton.

Francis graduated from Leeds University and after junior doctor rotations in general medicine and paediatrics, trained in emergency medicine and critical care.

Francis commenced in post as Medical Director at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust in August 2018.

I make sure that all our medical staff are providing the best, evidence based care…for a better Bolton.

Sharon is an experienced corporate governance professional with knowledge of the health, public and voluntary sectors, and is passionate about ensuring that the Trust is well governed and compliant with all statutory and regulatory requirements.

As the conscience of the Trust, Sharon is the conduit between our Council of Governors and the Board of Directors.

Each and every one of us has a part to play…for a better Bolton.

 

Tyrone started his nursing career over 25 years ago, and has worked across surgery, medicine, women & children’s and community.

His areas of interest are quality improvement science, population health and the development of others.

Tyrone is passionate about the people of Bolton, and the ambition of partners to improve the health and well-being through joint working.

I feel incredibly privileged to work alongside so many amazing people, who strive to deliver exceptional care and make a difference in people’s lives…for a better Bolton.

Annette graduated from Liverpool University with a degree in economics and started her career in the NHS as a finance trainee. She is a qualified chartered public finance accountant, who has held a number of senior positions across the NHS.

Annette joined Bolton NHS Foundation Trust in 2017. Her previous roles include Director of Finance of Bolton Primary Care Trust and the Chief Finance Officer of Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group. Annette now has a dual role as Chief Finance Officer of Bolton NHS Foundation Trust and across the Bolton health and care system. She is also the Green Champion for Bolton and is the Executive lead for our Estates and Facilities subsidiary company, iFM Bolton.

I make sure that we’re making the best use of the Bolton pound…for a better Bolton.

Rae has worked for the NHS for more than 30 years, joining Bolton in 2009 at senior management level.

She has worked in senior operations roles for the majority of her NHS career, covering most major service areas including A&E, critical care and paediatrics, becoming Chief Operating Officer at the Trust in January 2022.

I make sure that we are delivering our organisational targets, and patients are seen in the right place, at the right time…for a better Bolton.

Sharon has worked in the NHS for a number of years in clinical and managerial roles. She works with staff to develop and deliver the Trust’s strategy, and transformational plans and is the Executive Lead for digital delivery and transformation.

Sharon is also responsible for the Trust’s Charity and ensuring the Trust engages with and communicates well with our staff, patients and the public.

I work with our partners to look at how we can deliver our services now, and in the future…for a better Bolton.

Non‐Executive Directors

Jackie is the Chair of Finance and Investment Committee and a member of Quality Assurance Committee, alongside her full time role as Director of Strategy at Salford University. Jackie started her career in finance in the steel industry before moving to the education sector, initially in the North East and more recently in Manchester and Salford.

I make sure that the Trust is spending money wisely…for a better Bolton.

Seth has been well involved with the NHS throughout his career. As a Registered Nurse in both adult and mental health fields, Seth has also been a health care academic for much of his professional life, most recently as Pro-Vice Chancellor for Health, Social Care and Medicine at Edge Hill University.

I’m committed to providing creative solutions to the workforce challenges faced by healthcare and social care… for a better Bolton.

Tosca has a wealth of experience at a Board level across public and voluntary organisations, and has worked in various NHS roles including Assistant Chief Executive Officer at North Staffordshire Combined NHS Trust. In 2018, Tosca helped an NHS organisation and employee achieve a first-ever internationally recognised award by the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators, and is a former Chair of Show Racism the Red Card.

I will use my experience to ensure all of our communities are at the heart of the decisions we make… for a better Bolton

Rebecca’s background is from the commercial arena with specialisms in strategy, mergers & acquisitions and governance working across a range of client organisations from the education, health and wellness and technology sectors. Rebecca is Chair of Strategy and Operation Committee and member of Finance and Investment Committee.

I ensure that our facilities and estates are fit for purpose…for a better Bolton.

Sean knows how important the Trust is to people across Bolton. For eighteen years Sean worked at Bolton Council, including being the Chief Executive Officer between 2007 and 2015. A large part of his local government career has focussed on tackling inequalities and working on the integration of health and social care.

I have a long affinity with the borough and I’m really looking forward to ensuring it is delivering high-quality healthcare… for a better Bolton.

Martin has experience operating at Board level in a variety of roles within the telecommunications and IT sector. He has an established track record of leading organisational and digital transformational change that has delivered outstanding performance and turnaround. Martin is the Chair of Charitable Funds Committee and a member of Quality Assurance Committee, Audit Committee and Strategy and Operations Committee.

Martin is also the Maternity Board Safety Champion.

I advise on providing digital services for the future…for a better Bolton.

Alan joined the NHS Financial Management Scheme in 1975 and qualified as a Member of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) in 1980.  The majority of his working career has been in the NHS although he also has experience of working in local government and the private sector. Alan is the Chair of Audit Committee and member of People Committee, Strategy and Operations Committee and Charitable Funds.

Alan is also the Security Management Non-Executive Director.

I make sure that everything the Trust does is audited and checked…for a better Bolton.

Fiona has more than 40 years of NHS experience, having started in the NHS in 1982 as a 17-year-old student nurse in Salford and spending time on the front line as a nurse. Since then Fiona has had a number of roles, from midwife to Chief Officer, always trying to make improvements for residents.

It’s a real privilege to be able to serve the people of Bolton and I hope my knowledge and experience makes a contribution in driving the Trust forward… for a better Bolton.

System partners on our Board

Rachel Tanner smiles at the camera next to a fancy staircase in Bolton town hall.

Rachel is a skilled and experienced social care and integration leader, with more than 20 years’ experience and expertise in professional social work practice across local government, NHS and Commissioning.

She is passionate about person-centred care and improving outcomes for the people of Bolton, and ensuring the voice of people is at the heart of our strategic development and plans to transform health and care delivery. She believes that we must prioritise and continue to support and value our local communities and wider care market.

Rachel has been a Chief Officer in Bolton Council for more than nine years and has extensive experience working with local partners and leading Safeguarding, Mental Health and Digital policy portfolios across Greater Manchester and the Northwest.

Lynn Donkin smiles at the camera

Lynn joined Bolton Council in August 2019 as Assistant Director/Consultant in Public Health, taking up the role of Director of Public Health in 2022. She played a key leadership role in the response to COVID-19 in Bolton, and leads on public health analysis and intelligence, implementing a new Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) process for the borough.

Lynn graduated from the University of Leeds and gained her Master’s in Public Health (MPH) from the University of Liverpool. Lynn worked as a clinical audit officer, NHS research and public health analyst before joining the specialist public health training scheme.

As a consultant in public health in Blackpool Lynn led on health protection, public health intelligence, children’s public health, whole system approaches to healthy weight and NHS Screening programmes. She has extensive expertise in analysing patterns of health and wellbeing within populations, as well as interest in the training and development of public health professionals.

Naomi is our Delivery Director, who supports the place-based lead. She plays a vital role helping us to move our plans forward to integrate the services we provide to our Bolton people.

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