Visionary
Translating research into patient care
Board of Directors
The job of the Board of Directors is to agree policy, monitor the delivery of that policy, ensure the financial viability of the Trust, and ensure clinical quality in the Trust. The Board's work is regulated by its Standing Orders that govern: the proceedings of Board meetings; the way responsibilities are delegated; standards of business conduct; and contract procedure. Included in the Standing Orders are the Standing Financial Instructions, which detail the financial policies, responsibilities and procedures to be applied in the Trust.
Colin Millar BA – Chairman
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Qualifications BA (Industrial Economics) Experience Colin was appointed Chairman in December 2005 and is currently serving a second term of four years. His early career was in marketing with an international consumer goods company, principally in the UK but also in Japan and East Africa. Subsequently he held senior marketing appointments in the financial services sector. Until recently he owned and ran a market research company supplying information to companies and trade organisations throughout the world. He is Non Executive Director of a regional building society and a Trustee of a hospice in Leeds. He has held a number of voluntary appointments in education and social housing. |
Bridget Fletcher RGN, ONC, BA (Hons), MA – Chief Executive
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Qualifications BA (Hons) Health Studies Experience Bridget was appointed Director of Nursing in 2005. Prior to this she held various senior management roles in other NHS Trusts and was responsible for acute health services and |
Dr Andrew Catto BSc (Hons), MBChB, PhD, FRCP – Medical Director
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Qualifications BSc (Hons), MBChB, PhD, FRCP Experience Andrew was appointed Medical Director on 1 August 2009, having previously been Assistant Medical Director and Commissioning Director with the Trust. Between 2005 and 2009 he was also Head of MBChB University of Leeds. He joined Airedale in 2005 having been involved in clinical research since 1993 and Senior Lecturer in Medicine between 2000 and 2005. |
Rob Dearden RGN, RMN, MA – Director of Nursing
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Qualifications RGN, RMN, MA Management and Leadership in Health and Social Care, University of Leeds Experience Rob joined Airedale NHS Foundation Trust on secondment in August 2011. Prior to this, he was Deputy Director of Nursing at Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust (CHFT). Rob has advanced through a number of senior nurse management positions at CHFT. He qualified as a Registered General Nurse in 1987 at Manchester Royal Infirmary and then as a Registered Mental Nurse at Wigan Infirmary in 1990. He later specialised in Care of Older People and Rehabilitation Medicine in Manchester, Wirral and Halifax. Rob has a significant background in Practice Development and is an Associate of The University of Leeds. He is also a Governor at Calderdale College. |
Sheenagh Powell – Director of Finance
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Qualifications
Experience Sheenagh joined Airedale as Director of Finance in February 2010 from NHS Doncaster where she recently held the post of Director of Finance. Her portfolio has recently been expanded |
Ann Wagner Dip M, HND – Director of Strategy and Business Development
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Qualifications Diploma in Marketing Experience
Ann joined Airedale in September 2006 as Director of Corporate Development, since when her portfolio has developed and now encompasses growing market share for Airedale. Her previous |
David Adam MA, FCA – Non Executive Director
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Qualifications MA (Business Studies), FCA Experience
David was appointed a Non Executive Director in February 2007. David is a chartered accountant with almost 40 years financial management experience, including 13 years as a |
Jeff Colclough BA – Non Executive Director
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Qualifications Degree in Economics and Politics Experience
Jeff was appointed a Non Executive Director in February 2006. Jeff has over 25 years DTI experience both in the UK and overseas and Chief Executive of Business Link for seven years. He currently runs his own business and management consultancy firm. He is Chair of Yorkshire Forward Regional ICT Business Group for Digital 20/20, and was Regional Champion for UK Online for Business between 2002 and 2005. |
Ronald Drake LLB (Hons), ACIArb, Solicitor – Non Executive Director
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Qualifications Degree in Law with Honours - Manchester University – graduated 1974 Experience Ron was appointed a Non Executive Director in February 2007. Ron has over 30 years experience as a qualified solicitor and is a Partner of a national legal practice. He has been a part-time employment tribunal Judge for 10 years. |
Sally Houghton ACMA, BSc (Hons) – Non Executive Director
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Qualifications ACMA Experience Sally was appointed a Non Executive Director in February 2006. Sally is a qualified accountant and has over twenty years experience in multi-national manufacturing and engineering companies, some of which at Finance Director level. |
Alan Sutton BA (Hons), Cert Ed (QTS) – Non Executive Director and Vice Chairman
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Qualifications Qualified Teacher – Certificate of Education – Secondary Science BA (Hons) Sociology/Social Policy Experience
Alan was appointed a Non Executive Director in September 2002. Alan is currently a part-time University Examiner and Lay Chairman for Leeds University Medical Deanery. Alan was previously employed as Assistant Principal of Bradford College and has experience of strategic planning and capital investment. Alan is currently serving his last term of office as Non Executive |










