Foundation Trust members have elected a Council of Governors. The Council is made up of 19 public governors (six in North of Tyne, five in South of Tyne, three in Durham and five in Teesside), three staff governors, plus two appointed governors.
Meet our governors:
Public: North of Tyne
Simon Walford
For many years, I was a Consultant Physician in Wolverhampton, having spent part of my training in Newcastle. My special interests were Diabetes and Acute Medicine. Over the years I took on more leadership roles, including Medical Director of the Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals Trust and in medical education. My last job in the NHS was as a medical leader of the NHS Emergency Care team responsible for delivering the improvements to Emergency Care across the UK, which were so successful in reducing the waiting for people needing admission to hospital in the early years of the new century. For some years thereafter I worked independently, providing advice and support to clinical teams in the NHS and in the Republic of lreland as they sought to improve acute medica! care for their own communities. I was a Non -Executive Director of the hospitals in Shropshire, the rural county where I lived and was as a professional adviser to the Care Quality Commission - so have a wide experience of hospitals all over the country.
In my own time, I have experience as chairman of both an independent grammar and an Academy school, I chaired the board of the Hospice in Wolverhampton and latterly completed several years as chair of the board of the University of Wolverhampton. For many years I was a volunteer doctor at international horse trials and other events where immediate medical care was part of the safe support to competitors so I have worked with paramedics in the field.
My wife and I have now retired to live near Alnwick.
Anthony Laker
Born in the East End of London and moved to Newcastle upon Tyne in 1968. I am married to Janice with two grown up children Adam and Nikki who still live locally. I currently live in Pilton Park Westerhope. I served as an Army Reservist for 42 years firstly as a Gunner with the Royal Artillery then being granted the Queens Commission moved to the Army Cadet Force where I retired as Colonel Commandant in 2019. I also have my own business supplying Taxi equipment to the trade which was established in 1984. I am the Regional Youth Manager for St John Ambulance responsible for the North East Region from Sheffield to the Scottish Border.
My main hobbies are motorcycling having been riding for many years and raising funds for Military Veterans in charitable need.
Mark Glencorse
My career in healthcare has spanned 31 years.
Initially as a nurse working in operating theatres in various hospitals around the North East and Yorkshire resulting in my final position as a charge nurse. I then moved to the North East Ambulance Service for 12 years, ending my career as a clinical team leader. I was fortunate to be supported to gain a master’s degree in clinical research which provided a pathway to private industry and since 2012 I have worked in the medical device field and am now the International Director for Therapy Development for a novel implantable device for severe treatment resistant depression. My passion for emergency care has never left me, and I have always felt a void from not being part of the ambulance family anymore. My experience over the last 31 years has provided the skills and abilities to be able to serve my community once more in the role of a public governor, and I very much look forward to becoming part of the organization once more.
In my personal life, I am married with three grown boys (one still at home) and a very large giant Schnoodle dog. I enjoy cinema, socialising with family and friends, international travel and I was learning to fly, but that ended in a crash!
Alan Clayton
Married with two children and three grandchildren.
Retired and currently volunteering as a Community First Responder in Hexham for the NEAS.
My career was in retail, first role sweeping floors in Woolworths before rising to become one of their senior store managers. After Woolworths I joined an international retail/wholesale company, managing several of their UK stores as both store and regional manager.
In 2002 I was seconded to their international team in Germany, before taking up positions in China, India, Pakistan, Russia and Kazakhstan as Operations / Expansion / Sales & Marketing Director.
On retiring I followed my passion and became a Scuba Dive Instructor teaching in Europe and Asia. Including teaching high school students along with under /post grad/PHD students from all over the world as the senior dive instructor as a volunteer for Operation Wallacea a British Conservation Charity.
And now just trying to manage my new allotment.
Keith Powell
I’m a spritely 74 year old, living in Whitley Bay. I’m originally from the Wirral, where I had served in voluntary capacities in varied roles, culminating with 17 years as a local councillor and Mayor of my town, since retiring as a technician with Airbus we moved to Newcastle to be near to our daughter, I joined Northumbria Healthcare Trust originally as a member and was elected to the Council of Governors in September 2022, I became Lead Governor in 2023. I was told I was a useful addition to the CoG and gained the trust of my colleagues and officers alike and had an excellent relationship with the Chair and CEO. I’m able to disseminate and share information and am likely to instigate useful discussion with positive outcomes. Late last year due to a potential conflict of interest with my daughter’s role in Newcastle Healthcare Trust, I felt it necessary to resign my position at the trust.
I believe I can offer NEAS apart from a fresh face, a willingness to give my time and expertise in an effort to help the organisation, including with its interactions with the general public.
Alan Crawford
Currently work for the Royal Victoria Hospital as a Specialist Mechanical craftsman (since July 2015).
I take a great deal of time spending time with my grandchildren and playing golf both of which I love dearly.
I really want to make the North East Ambulance Service a great place to be and look forward to being part of the Ambulance Trust. The North East Ambulance Trust has come in for harsh criticism of late and I don’t think it is truly deserved. I’d like to be part of making it great.
Public: South of Tyne
Victoria Bullerwell
As the current Director of Workforce and Engagement and Co-Chair of the CIPD North East of England, I bring over 20 years of dedicated service within the NHS. My extensive experience as an HR professional has equipped me with a deep understanding of workforce dynamics and employee engagement, enabling me to drive meaningful change and foster a positive working environment.
My deep passion for the NHS is driven by my experiences as both a staff member and a service user, and I am honoured to serve as a Public Governor. Previously, I had the privilege of being a Staff Governor for CNTW NHS Foundation Trust, a role I held for six years. During this time, I contributed to strategic decision-making processes and advocated for the needs and wellbeing of the staff.
My commitment to people is reflected in my special interest in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. I work diligently to make the North East a great and inclusive place to live and work. My efforts in promoting these values have been instrumental in creating more equitable and supportive workplace environments.
Residing in a semi-rural village, I also run a family farm with my husband. I cherish farm life and enjoy spending time outdoors, finding balance and inspiration in the natural surroundings.
Dovid Katz
My name is pronounced Dovid, with the ‘o’ sounding like the ‘o’ in fog, which is very apt for someone living close to the Tyne.
I am Geordie born and bred, and have a passion for prehospital care in the North East. Being a volunteer medic for a community ambulance service for close to 25 years so far, has afforded me an inside view of the challenges as well as successes met by patients, ambulance staff and local hospitals.
Michael McNulty
I have previously worked as a teacher in a grammar school, senior lecturer at the University of Northumbria and an Associate lecturer for the Open University.
I’ve dedicated time to the health sector as the Chair of Sunderland Link, the forerunner of the local Healthwatch, a governor and lead governor of Sunderland City Hospitals Trust and have previously been the deputy Lead Governor for NEAS. I’m also a former member of the Governing Council of the Open University.
Peter Orr
I am a former RAF Intelligence Officer, who spends his time helping others to better themselves offering advice and assistance. I was born and bred in Sunderland but made in the RAF.
Having been a member of the NEAS group for many years, and being asked to stand as a governor, I finally have the time to do so. Having used the NEAS ambulance service, I can state that these unsung heroes deserve more than they get for the work they do. I am against the treatment and abuse that the ambulance crews get in day-to-day service triage to help others regardless of colour, creed or mental health status. I as a patient for many years and recently as an amputee, feel that what I can bring would help many.
Liz Highmore
Born in Yorkshire, raised in the South Coast, I have lived in Sunderland for over 30 years. My career has covered civil service, photography, secretarial work, retail work and currently as a PCPI at the university of Sunderland. I campaign on disability, equality and diversity and Aging Well. I have been a community health councillor, a member of the core group of Sunderland Link, two full terms as a Board member of Sunderland Health Watch and a term as a governor of City Hospitals Foundation Trust. An Aging Well ambassador and a Health Champion. I am great believer in life long learning. My hobbies included reading, knitting, crochet, sewing, learning languages, dance and performing. During my working life I held a number of posts as a trade union activist.
Public: Durham
Stephen Dunn
I am proud to be joining NEAS for a second term as a Public Governor for County Durham. I am passionate about the area and the people that live here. I aim to bring my professional background and experience to the board of governors for a second term. Professionally, I work as the Best Practice Director (Compliance & ESG) of national engineering company who are based within the Northeast. Qualified as qualified engineer, I am active within the engineering industry helping to shape the future of gas. I sit on as a Trustee for the Institute of Gas Engineers and Managers; I am a Chartered Manager and both a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute and Institute of Directors. As well as serving my first term as a Public Governor from November 2019, I am proud to have served as a Community First Responder since 2011.
Andrew Eales
I was born in Bishop Auckland General Hospital in 1955, brought up in the St Helen Auckland area, then lived in Durham before moving to Newton Aycliffe in 1994.
I am a Project Accountant specialising in cost effective and practical planning, financial administrative and logistical support for all aspects involving the commercial and private build projects environment. Coming from a working class background my first lob when leaving school and before I went to college was as a general labourer on a building site.
I spent almost my entire working life in the accountancy profession and have a wide knowledge of the financial workplace and environment which I hope to bring to the Trust together with clarity of thought, common sense and plain talking.
I was a Public Governor for Durham for four years until 2020 and know what is expected of me.
Jayden Witherspoon
I am currently studying Health and Social Care at Level 3 (A-Level) at Sixth Form, and I have a really strong passion for pre-hospital emergency care. I am a determined individual who loves setting goals and ensuring they are met.
In the future, I would love to be a Critical Care Paramedic for the Great North Air Ambulance.
One of my main interests aside from emergency medical care is aviation, and I have previously flown a light aircraft.
Public: Teesside
David Brindle
I am a retired chartered engineer having spent a 40 year career in the UK and abroad participating in and managing large construction projects primarily in the oil and gas industry. During my career, I have managed and developed project teams and reviewed and analysed working practices with a view to achieving best practice across the various construction disciplines. I have worked for clients assessing the competencies of potential companies to be engaged in major works and through this have benefited in improving my analytical skills, which I hope I can usefully bring to bear as a governor.
As a father and grandfather, I am keenly aware of the importance of the ambulance service to my family and can now devote time to contributing to the organisation.
Olalekan Odedeyi
A Community Advocate and Social Entrepreneur support families as a McKensie Friends. He was born in Nigeria and developed Save The Woman after being interested in Millenium Development Goal 3, which seeks to promote gender equality and empower women.
As a social entrepreneur, visionary leader, and a people’s advocate, he has passion for fairness, gender equality, women’s empowerment, and race equality.
Through Save The Woman, he has provided free assistance to a diverse group of people. More recently, the advocacy and legal support has been around children denied access to health services, and those being taken into care. Olalekan’s involvement in community work as a Parent Governor in two local schools has given him a great insight into how the system works. It has helped shape the strategic direction and help raise standards of children social care services.
Patricia Scott
I have a background in health research in higher education and a Ph.D. (Durham) Sociology and Social Policy. As Doctorate Programme Director at University of Hertfordshire, I led a team of academics to deliver the Professional Doctorate in Health Research. My own research focuses on emergency care particularly concerning the interface between primary care, emergency department and acute sector services. As a seasoned dual qualified adult/mental health nurse and emergency practitioner, I champion compassionate and accountable care, and I have insight into national strategy, local governance and patient and staff impact.
James Ruddock
I have lived in Middlesbrough my whole life and my first job was working for the NHS in the training department. I have worked in a variety of front line and management roles and have volunteered in governance for several years.
I am passionate about the NHS and work in the public sector in a local authority and hope that by being a governor I am able to support and improve the service available to local residents.
Tony Horrocks
I was born in Southport and moved to Norton, Stockton on Tees in 1998. I am married and have three children.
I spent 47 years in the hotel, catering and hospitality sector. My career took me from hotels, motorway catering and cruise ships and ferries and I spent 27 years at sea as a purser officer in the merchant navy with P&O and Stena Line.
I have been retired for 11 years and wanted to use my knowledge and skills to give something back to the NHS.
I have been a support volunteer to the Samaritans and North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust on the Council of Governors for 9 years and was lead Governor for 6 years.
Recently I have mentored some personnel in NTH Solutions at both hospitals in my role as commercial Hospitality Advisor.
Appointed:
Devon Lawton
As the Local Resilience Forum Manager for County Durham and Darlington, I coordinate the full power of blue light services, local authorities, environment agency, health services, utilities, the voluntary sector and more. I bring together these organisations in order to work alongside one another to plan and react to major incidents, to ensure the seamless implementation of multiple agencies at the time when they are most needed. I gained vital experience during the response to once in a lifetime challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, Storm Arwen and Brexit.
Born and bred in the North East, I obtained a degree in Sociology and a degree-level qualification in Leadership and Management, and I am currently studying for my MBA in Senior Leadership. My focus is on ensuring that the region’s communities are supported during the most difficult times and situations. Having seen first-hand the impact of life-changing events, I understand that groups, such as NEAS, need to have great links with other key organisations and the communities which it serves. This is something I hope to be able to support NEAS with at a strategic level.
Ruth Mitchell
Staff:
Frazer Gregory - Emergency Operations Centre
Hello there! My name is Frazer and I’ve worked for NEAS since 2008. Although I’ve spent all my time in the EOC I’ve worn a number of hats over the years, starting as a Health Advisor before dipping my toes in Dispatch & Training, eventually becoming a Team Leader in 2015 – a position I’ve held since. This is my second time as being Governor, having been appointed the first Staff Governor for the EOC back in 2011!
On a personal level I share my home with my wife – also a key NEAS employee in the Audit department – and our 2 sons, two dogs and two rabbits. When we’re not out with our National Trust, English Heritage or Beamish tickets then I’m usually engrossed in my other big hobby: Doctor Who.
Tim Mortlock - Scheduled Care
Motorcycler, heavy metal afficionado, ordained Priest and ex-pat East Anglian.
I’ve worked within the NHS since 2008 across four different Trusts and had a myriad of jobs prior, before moving to the North East 2012.
As employee, patient and family member, I’ve seen the best and worst of what the NHS can provide to the communities we serve. Whatever personal and professional attributes I have, I will use them to improve our service; I have particular interest in neurodivergence, and a determination to improve conditions and wellbeing.
Jonathan Knox - Staff Support Services
I have worked for NEAS for over 15 years, commencing in post as Business Planning and Performance Manager in November 2009.
I am currently the Assistant Director of Commercial and Business Management, a role I have held for two years. This role involves modernising the Trust Patient Transport Service (PTS), helping to make it effective, efficient, and applying a continuous improvement approach to keep it fit-for-purpose for the foreseeable future.
My background prior to NEAS is 15 years working for a range of private sector companies, across FMCG, Utilities, Oil and Gas, and Printed Circuit Board manufacture. My roles have predominantly been commercial in nature, including sales, marketing, new product/service development, account management, project management, innovation, business planning and strategy development.
I am committed in the role of Governor to ensuring both (i) the best possible patient care is maintained at all times, and (ii) the voice of Support Services is appropriate represented.
