Meet our Senior Leadership Group
We have a dynamic leadership team focussed on the delivery of high quality health and care services for the people of Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin.
The team is led by a group of experienced Executive Directors. You can read more about each of them below:
Sir Neil McKay
Chair
About me
Sir Neil McKay has spent the whole of his career managing and leading in the NHS.
He was CEO of University Hospitals in Sheffield and Leeds, CEO for two Strategic Health Authorities and time as the Chief Operating Officer for the NHS in England (following a period as the interim CEO).
Neil is the Chair of the Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Integrated Care System (ICS) and his consultancy work has involved supporting a number of Sustainability Transformation Partnerships, including chairing three others at different times – all of which are now designated ICSs.
He has led some of the most complex change programmes nationally and locally and has a particular interest in helping systems develop strategies for sustainable services.
He is a strong proponent of integrated out of hospital care and the development of Place and Neighbourhood based solutions as the means of delivering better health and care to populations.
What inspired you to work in health and social care?
I was brought up in a family where many of them worked in the NHS. I was inspired by their commitment. Working in healthcare seemed a fascinating potential career and so it has been. The opportunity to work with such a range of talented people with an unremitting focus on how to help and support people is exhilarating.
I consider myself to be extremely fortunate to have done things which have been so professionally and personally fulfilling and I’ve never regretted for one moment my decision many years ago to become part of the NHS!
What are your passions outside of work?
I have 2 adult sons and an adult stepdaughter and now have 6 grandchildren. I get great pleasure by spending time with them. I enjoy holidays and good food - but don’t do enough travelling or eating out as my wife would like! She thinks I still work too much!
I’m a CAMRA real ale supporter and the more authentic the beer and the pub, the happier I am!
I’m fascinated by history, so for example I’m determined to visit as many of Northumberland’s 70 + castles as I can in the next few months.
But many would say my main passion ( and tribulation ! ) is as an ardent follower of Sunderland AFC . The sense of belonging and community it gives me is important.
About me
Simon has worked in the NHS for 30 years in a variety of roles. He graduated as a physiotherapist from Keele University in 1995, having trained at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital (RJAH). He started out as a Physiotherapy Assistant and learnt a lot from that role before he trained and qualified as a physio.
Having worked clinically for several years, he went to work for the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy in their employment relations team and worked nationally on the introduction of the NHS Agenda for Change Pay System, prior to moving into more senior management roles.
More recently, Simon was Chief Executive of two of the Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Groups, before joining the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent ICS as its Director in June 2017.
Simon is passionate about clinical leadership and about ensuring that our focus is always on improving things for the people that we serve. He has a Master’s degree in leadership and change management from Manchester University.
What inspired you to work in health and social care?
Somewhat stereotypically, this came from my own personal experiences and injuries. As a result of quite a bad footballing injury (fractured ankle), I spent a significant amount of time undergoing rehabilitation with a physiotherapist. I was genuinely interested in the work that they did with me and found myself asking lots of questions. My desire to work in the NHS grew from that point and I was fortunate to be able to have a career in an area that I was interested in and really enjoyed.
What are your passions outside of work?
You will find me out with my dog Aero every morning irrespective of the weather. I try and ensure that I have at least an hour out with him every day of the week and that helps my mental wellbeing as much as it helps with the physical exercise.
I have 2 grown up daughters that keep me busy and we still enjoy family meals out and family holidays.
When not walking Aero, I really enjoy a wide variety of sports (predominantly watching now rather than playing!). I am an avid Liverpool FC supporter and will go to as many games as possible with my eldest daughter. Linked to my interest in sport, I am also a Trustee for the Foundation at Port Vale Football Club. Throughout my career I have always looked to give something back and to volunteer my time to support a charity or a local community group.
Alison Smith
Director of Corporate Affairs
About me
Alison started her career in management within the manufacturing industry in both Shropshire and the West Midlands, before securing a role at Telford and Wrekin Council in 2001.
In 2009, she became Trust Secretary for NHS Telford and Wrekin PCT subsequently becoming Executive Lead for Governance and Engagement in NHS Telford and Wrekin CCG in 2013 and Director of Corporate Affairs at NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin CCG in 2021. Alison currently holds the role of Director of Corporate Affairs for NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin.
As Director of Corporate Affairs, she is responsible for ensuring NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin complies with relevant legal, constitutional and regulatory requirements. Alison is also the Company Secretary and is involved with Corporate Services, Complaints and PALs, Information Governance, Health and Safety and Security Management and Corporate Estates.
Alison has recently led the successful merger of the CCGs in 2021 and oversaw the development of the governance structures for NHS Shropshire Telford and Wrekin in 2022.
What inspired you to work in health and social care?
Through working in the NHS team I feel I am making a positive and direct contribution to the quality of health and care services in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin.
What are your passions outside of work?
I love to travel and have had the opportunity over the last 25 years to see some amazing places in the world
About me
Edna is a multi-award-winning communications, behaviour change, and change management director, with over 20 years of experience designing and leading strategic communication and engagement programmes, public health initiatives and transformation strategies.
With a background in service redesign and public health, Edna has designed and delivered a number of nationally recognised programmes which target specific equality and marginalised groups to support behaviour change and improve health and wellbeing.
Edna has held several senior system-wide comms and engagement roles in Greater Manchester and Cheshire and Merseyside and has led the communications and engagement strategies for a number of large-scale change programmes including the Greater Manchester Healthier Together acute reconfiguration programme and the Salford integrated care programme.
In 2020, as Interim Director of Communication and Engagement for the Cheshire and Merseyside ICS, Edna designed and delivered a ground-breaking programme aimed at gaining a better understanding of how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted ethnic minority communities in Cheshire and Merseyside. The insight was then used to implement a targeted campaign to address vaccine hesitancy within ethnic minority and deprived communities. This programme won three national awards in 2021, including a prestigious HSJ award.
Edna was awarded “Fellow” membership status by the Charted Institute of Marketing (CIM). The CIM Fellowship is the highest-ranking member level and provides the ultimate recognition of Edna’s career achievements within the communications and marketing field.
What inspired you to work in health and social care?
When my father died from a smoking related cancer, I decided I wanted to work in the public sector and make a difference, that’s what led to me taking a job in public health. I love what I do, and I feel fortunate to work with hard working, passionate people who care and also want to make a difference. I am fully committed to taking positive steps to ensure fair and equitable access to services for all and reducing health inequalities.
What are your passions outside of work?
I love live music, going to gigs and concerts; not being able to hear live music was one of the things I struggled with the most during covid times. I also love going to the gym and working out, it helps me to destress, I have a peloton bike which is probably one of my favourite purchases ever (other exercise bike brands are also available!)
About me
Gareth joined NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin as the culmination of almost 20 years working within and for the NHS.
He has balanced a career in senior operational roles covering acute, primary care and mental health services, and most recently as Chief Operating Officer at Cwm Taf Morgannwg - a Welsh Health Board with many parallels to NHS STW.
Alongside this, Gareth spent periods within the management consulting sector working exclusively for the NHS as part of the PwC Health Team. This mix of experience has been a real privilege and has allowed him to deliver interesting change within NHS organisations as well as learn from a breadth of health systems from the UK and beyond.
What inspired you to work in health and social care?
Having been born and raised in Shropshire, and worked in many parts of the NHS, the opportunity to make a difference to the citizens of the community I live within is a rare privilege. In my career, I’ve had the chance to experience many different parts of the public and private sector, but making a difference to the community you are a part of is the best reason to get out of bed in the morning!
What are your passions outside of work?
With two boys (Alex, 13 and Sam, 10), my passions outside of work are largely driven by theirs! This means I enjoy a lot of time involved in sport (a mix of rugby, motorcycling, football, climbing and the odd run!)
- Children and young people (aged 0-25)
- Children and young people with SEND - aged 0-25
- Learning disability and autism (all-age)
- Down syndrome (all-age)
- Mental Health
About me
Nick has undertaken a range of local, regional and national clinical leadership roles during his career.
For the last 3 years he has been the Medical Director Commissioning in the NHS England and NHS Improvement - Midlands region. In this role he has been at the forefront of the system integration agenda and has a real commitment to working across organisations to improve patient outcomes.
During the Covid-19 pandemic his role became far more operational and he led the regional Adult Critical Care, Operation Capacity and Recovery Cells. He is a Plastic and Craniofacial Surgeon by background and will continue to work clinically part-time.
What inspired you to work in health and social care?
The chance to come to Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin to be part of an ambitious system integration programme is a fantastic opportunity to improve the care we can offer people.
What are your passions outside of work?
Nick lives just across the border with Worcestershire in Bromsgrove with his wife, 3 children, Max the golden retriever and Woody the Persian cat.
Claire Skidmore
Chief Finance Officer
About me
Claire has worked in the NHS for over 25 years and is an experienced NHS Chief Finance Officer, holding executive positions in commissioning organisations for more than 10 years. She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and holds an MBA from Warwick University.
Claire’s experience extends well beyond finance as she feels privileged to have been responsible for a wide range of functions in her time as an executive. In 2021 Claire also spent some time as Accountable Officer for Shropshire Telford and Wrekin CCG.
What inspired you to work in health and social care?
I joined the NHS straight after college and enjoy being able to use the skills and knowledge that I have gained over my career to support and drive service improvement. I am a keen advocate of the NHS and am proud to be part of a diverse and multidisciplinary team. I value the opportunity that my role brings to work with great people across health and social care.
What are your passions outside of work?
I enjoy a variety of pastimes outside of work from tap dancing and pilates to eating out and socialising with friends. I love to travel, both within the UK and abroad.
Dr Julie Garside
Director of Planning & Performance
About me
Julie joined the NHS via the Gateway to Leadership scheme in 2004 after a career in the electronic manufacturing services industry, having completed a PhD in Electrochemistry.
She was an Operations Director and won several supplier awards. Since joining the NHS Julie has worked in a PCT, CCG and now looks forward to the new challenges of our ICB.
Over the years she has helped deliver several millions of pounds of savings as a result of service redesign, contracting and procurement projects. She also led STW to the achievement of 18wk RTT and cancer waiting time targets which unfortunately due to the recent pandemic have all slipped back. Julie intends to do all she can to help us achieve those key waiting time targets once again for our patients!
What inspired you to work in health and social care?
I wanted to make a difference! Working in industry was interesting and challenging and involved lots of global travel but chasing a share price and industry awards did not really motivate me. Working in health and social care aligns with my personal values, as I have a passion for continuous improvement and want our health care to be the best it can be for the people of STW.
What are your passions outside of work?
I am currently the President of my local WI. My other pastimes include reading, cooking, gardening (in my veggie patch!), walking in our stunning Shropshire countryside and I love travelling and exploring the world.
Alex Brett
Chief People Officer
About me
Alex Brett joins NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin as Chief People Officer, alongside her existing role as Chief People Officer at Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (MPUFT).
She started her career originally as a nurse, was Professional Lead for District Nursing across North Staffordshire as well as a Lecturer in Nursing at Keele University, before moving on to operationally lead and manage community services in Staffordshire.
Alex went on to pursue a career in Organisational and Workforce Development which progressed to her leading the full range of People functions for many years, including working at the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust as Deputy Director, before she became a Board level Executive Director.
She is a qualified Executive Coach, Team Coach, has a master’s degree in Management Learning and Leadership from Lancaster Business School and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
In addition to her role at MPUFT, Alex is also the Chief People Officer for the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care System (ICS) and has played an active role in the Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin ICS People agenda for many years.
What inspired you to work in health and social care?
I have worked in the NHS for the last 33 years and consider myself to be a loyal public servant who is committed to the local area and the health of its population. The drive for integrated care is a vision that I believe in deeply, having worked many times with people who have fallen through the cracks between health and social care or the grey areas.
About me
After graduating from Leicester University in Pharmacy, Claire spent 13 years as a community pharmacist before taking a postgraduate diploma in Clinical Community Pharmacy. She then moved to work with General Practitioners to support prescribing and medicines management, and became a non-medical independent prescriber in one of the early cohorts.
In 2012 Claire took the opportunity to widen her portfolio and became Chief Officer – Quality for Sandwell and West Birmingham CCG which included provider quality, safeguarding, Continuing Healthcare and corporate governance, as well as medicines management. She developed a customer care approach to concerns and complaints called ‘Time to Talk’, led the health input into the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) for Sandwell as well as chairing the Safeguarding Board and supported her safeguarding team to develop the CSE Superhero campaign.
Claire’s interest in children’s health and wellbeing led to a role as Improvement Director for Children and Families at Birmingham Community Trust, and she also spent a short time in the North West working in a different system as a Transformation Director before returning to the Midlands as Partnerships Director for Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin CCG.
What inspired you to work in health and social care?
I have always wanted to make a difference to those who are more vulnerable when accessing healthcare and making it easer to try and navigate the complex systems of health and social care. I have been a chair of Governors at a primary school and a trustee of a Domestic Abuse refuge. Working with those with a learning disability and autism, children, young people and families and ensuring prevention and support, equity and fair access for all is why I love doing my role. Keeping people at the heart of why we do what we do.
What are your passions outside of work?
I have lots of creative interests, its not all science, and I like painting and making things, cooking and baking, but my main love is theatre. I am a member of an amateur theatre company and I ‘tread the boards’ and work backstage when I can. I also love music, dancing and took my first ballet exam in 2018. I have two grown up daughters.
Vanessa Whatley
Interim Chief Nursing Officer
Coming soon
- Safeguarding (all age) including looked after children