Governors

Public Governor – Warrington & Halton

I live in Warrington and am married with three children and two grandchildren.

I have worked in accounts for many years and currently work in the transport industry.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017 and was successfully treated by both The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre and Warrington and Halton Hospital Trusts.

When I was approached by Clatterbridge to become a governor for Warrington I was honoured to accept. To be part of this amazing forwarding-thinking organisation has given me an opportunity to help make a difference to peoples' lives.

Public Governor – Cheshire West & Chester

I trained as an engineer and moved to the third sector 18 years ago working in mental health, prisons, 3rd sector infrastructure and commissioning cancer services. I am passionate about community development, completing my masters in Community Leadership in 2019. In my spare time, I have invested in, and am part of a team renovating a derelict chapel to become a community space and cafe.

I applied to be governor because I am passionate about improving the lives of people going through their difficult cancer story, I have also seen first hand some of the wonderful work the staff at Clatterbridge do through my work at Macmillan.

I am passionate about kindness, and what I can achieve within my sphere of influence, the starfish story summarises how I will approach my term as a Governor at Clatterbridge:

Earnie Larsen: the Starfish story - YouTube

Public Governor – Liverpool

My name is Keith – I'm married and a father of two boys. I'm an engineer and I also volunteer for the Samaritans.

I'm about to start on a Foundation Degree in counselling at college.

I've had the privilege of being a Governor at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre for 3 years. During this time I have had many opportunities to help shape cancer care and make sure that patients and the people of Liverpool have a voice. I am genuinely passionate and I love making a difference to patients and people's lives. I like and enjoy getting stuck in and if anyone gives me the chance I will do what I can for The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre charity.

I love being a Governor and feeling able to give something back whilst representing the people of Liverpool. I am energetic and caring and I feel that I can make a difference and add value to the hospital, patients and the public. We have all lost someone we care about to cancer or we know someone that has had treatment for cancer. I have also seen how hard the staff work. They work tirelessly to be the best they can be and care so much for all the patients.

That is why I am a governor to make sure the care is always there for all the people of Liverpool and the surrounding areas.

Public Governor – St Helens & Knowsley

As a patient of the Trust, I was pleased to have the opportunity to serve as a Governor in the hope that I can give something back to the organisation that is caring for me. I retired in 2006 having worked in the NHS throughout my entire working life mainly as a clinical psychologist and mental health service manager, and latterly as director of informatics in a mental health NHS Trust.

I have a long-standing interest in cancer care having worked professionally in supporting local Macmillan nurses and having been a founding Trustee of Willowbrook Hospice in St Helens & Knowsley.

In fulfilling the role of Governor I hope to bring:

• relevant experience in health service delivery and development;
• relevant experience as a cancer patient of the Trust; and
• a strong commitment to support and help improve the delivery of care by the Trust with particular emphasis on the care of people in St Helens and Knowsley.

Public Governor – Sefton

Following a long, varied and interesting career incorporating Consulate General of Venezuela, Liverpool Law Society, an Officer in the Merchant Navy for 17-years, eventually the Finance Department of the local authority, I now enjoy the freedom of retirement.

I have an interest in many things and read extensively to keep up to date.

Becoming a Public Governor at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre has opened another chapter, proving to be very interesting. I recently attended a course for new Governors at Trusts in the North West which was most helpful and informative on the role.

Public Governor – Sefton

I’m a retired civil servant, having worked in Liverpool and Sefton for over 35 years.

I’m only too aware of the social issues prevalent in these areas as my duties included visiting individuals and families experiencing health and welfare difficulties.

Since 2017 I have been fortunate to benefit from treatment at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre as an inpatient and outpatient. It is my hope to assist in the process of securing further improvements.

Public Governor – Cheshire West & Chester I have lived in Chester for the past 31 years. I am a wife and mother, and a

newly-retired chartered surveyor.Much of my career was in the public sector and involved facilitating development of buildings for public use using private

money and expertise, latterly concentrating on the NHS and doctors’ surgeries. I am

new to being a Clatterbridge governor so have much to learn!

Public Governor – Liverpool

My name is John Roberts and I have been married to Ann for 50 years, with two grown up sons and one grandchild, Luca. I have been involved with patient public involvement through Community Health Council Liverpool Links Health Watch. I like to paint and go to car boot sales. I was involved with the setting up of the Multi-Cultural diabetes forum, which included the 12 BAME communities within Liverpool. This was the first time health professionals met each community in their own cultural settings.

I have previously been a Governor, so when the chance to reapply came up I was very interested. I had seen the way staff worked to help patients with a smile. My Mum was diagnosed with cancer and it changed her outlook on life. But after she visited Clatterbridge for the first time and then met other patients on the minibus, she could not stop telling everyone about the staff and other patients, which helped the family to understand her cancer better.

COVID-19 has been hard on everybody, more so on the Doctors, Nurses, Staff and Governors in how to manage patients worries regarding their appointments. Liverpool Clatterbridge hospital will help to ease the patients having to travel for treatments.

Public Governor – Wirral & rest of England

I have lived on the Wirral for 20 years. I am married with three children.

For most of my career I worked for Unilever, as Global HR Director, both for IT and R&D. My expertise is in talent management and organisational change. I now work for the Department for Education, the Judicial Appointments Commission, and also in consulting for a number of multinational companies. I work voluntarily for Macmillan Cancer Support and am a Governor of West Kirby Grammar School.

Since July 2019, I have attended the Patient Experience Committee here at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre and have been a cancer patient myself.

Public Governor – Wales

Following a career in accountancy and financial services I am now retired.

I was recently elected as Lead Governor and hope to re-energise the Governing Body and increase its visibility and hands-on involvement at all Clatterbridge Cancer Centre sites.

I am also a case worker for the RAF Association.

I am looking forward to the new exciting times The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre is embarking upon.

Richard Taylor joined the Trust as a Governor on 25 October 2023. Richard brings a wealth of experience to the Trust as a Solicitor and Associate at an international firm of Solicitors dealing with Fraud. He is a Trustee at Oak Trees Multi Academy Trust as well as a school Governor.

Richard feels that people who have experienced the traumatic news of a cancer diagnosis, should feel they can rely on their local hospitals to deliver excellent health care, form good relationships with their nurses and doctors; and feel proud to have a world class service on their doorstep.

Staff Governor – Other Clinical

I am a Radiotherapy Physicist working alongside colleagues from different disciplines to ensure our patients are treated safely and effectively. I am involved in service improvement and innovation, improving the quality of treatments we provide for our patients. Prior to my career in healthcare I was working in particle physics, including some time spent working at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN in Switzerland.

The patients are at the heart of everything we do at Clatterbridge. I put myself forward to be a Governor to ensure that we have good representation from all staff groups at the highest level of the organisation to maintain high standards and improve care for our patients. I aspire to contribute towards making the care and experience patients have at this Trust the best it possibly can be.

I am passionate about my work, going above and beyond where necessary. I have been continually involved in the representation of my peers at many levels within my career, and will continue to do so. It is inspiring for me to sit alongside our dedicated staff and public Governors working together to make Clatterbridge a great place for patients and staff.

Staff Governor – Nursing

I am a passionate and caring Senior Nurse who loves working to have a positive impact upon people’s lives. My current role as a Project Manager enables me to develop and enhance existing and new clinical services so that patients receive the highest standard of care.

I thoroughly enjoy being a Staff Governor as I enjoy people and I most certainly enjoy learning from others. I am a very driven, approachable and positive staff member who will go above and beyond for those who need it. Through being a Staff Governor and acting as an advocate for the nursing constitution I am able to give something back that contributes to our healthcare system.

Staff Governor – Radiographer

Hi, my name is Linzi I am a newly-appointed Governor who wants to make a difference to the organisation. I became a therapeutic radiographer many years ago after my father was treated at CCC. He was treated by staff who showed such care and compassion to him and my family that it inspired me to train to become a member of that team.

I am currently in a transformational role within the MSCC (Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression) Team. Part of my role is to provide a smooth and efficient pathway for patients who present with MSCC within Cheshire and Merseyside, who require emergency radiotherapy, surgery or systemic treatment. This is often facilitated using a multi-disciplinary approach within a tight timeframe, to comply with NICE guidelines.

I care about the experience of our patients and staff. I’d like to help improve pathways and processes to provide the best possible care for patients and work environment for my colleagues. I want to be the voice of radiographers and provide a space for people to advocate. I’m hardworking and passionate and want to give something back to CCC after this wonderful organisation has given me so much in the past.

“To move forward you Have to give back”

Staff Governor – Doctor

Dr Mahajan started working at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre in March 2022 as a Consultant Radiologist with special interest in head and neck, thoracic and neurological malignancies.

Dr Abhishek Mahajan studied at Kasturba Medical College in Manipal and was Cancer Imaging Fellow at Asia’s leading cancer hospital and teaching Institute, the Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai from 2009 to 2011.

After finishing his fellowship, he joined as faculty at the Tata Memorial Centre and served until February 2022 as Professor of Radiology and Consultant radiologist. During his tenure at the Tata Memorial Centre, he took sabbatical year and did his Masters in Translational Cancer Medicine from the King’s College London.

Dr Mahajan says: “I am passionate about quality of life related research, non-medical innovations, cancer charities and social media in oncology. I am from the LGBTQ+ community and since I feel so supported here I would like to give back to patients across Cheshire and Merseyside, Clatterbridge and the LGBTQ+ community by fundraising for LGBTQ+ cancer patients and address the need for awareness of cancer which are disproportionately higher in LGBTQ+ community.”

John Forsey joined the Trust as a Governor on 25 October 2023. Since retiring, John has volunteerd for Fareshare Merseyside, supporting local foodbanks, food charities and schools

John started volunteering at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre Liverpool in January 2023 providing support and assistance for patients and getting actively involved supporing the Trusts Arts for Health Programme.

John has professional and personal experience dealing with cancer and has always been committed to ensuring the best possible care for patients.

Appointed Governor – Cheshire & Merseyside Cancer Alliance

My role is Head of Performance for the Cheshire and Merseyside Cancer Alliance and my career has been in and around cancer services, working across community and acute organisations since 2019. I am absolutely passionate about delivering good cancer care in the NHS.

My focus is transformation and strategy, leading on the core objectives of the Long-Term Plan for Cancer and supporting the delivery of cancer performance in Cheshire and Merseyside

Nominated Governor – Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Public Governor - Isle of Mann

David's philosophy is that patients, families, and carers should be at the heart of everything we do and became a Governor to ensure good representation, and to support the Trust to be as good as it can be.

I’ve never had cancer but I know so many family, friends and acquaintances who have who’ve received some form of care and treatment by CCC staff. I have cared for many people with cancer on pilgrimages to Lourdes over the last thirty years.

I’ve lived in the catchment area of CCC for most of my life.

After working at The Walton Centre, where I set up a Brain Tumour Support Group in my own time, on retirement I volunteered for the Royal College of Radiologists for six years and they made me an Honorary Member. From the outset, I was involved in all aspects of Oncology, especially radiotherapy policy for NHS England and still today make an input into several aspects of Radiotherapy practice, patient experience, information, Consent, research and so on.

I want the best level of compassionate care for curative and palliative cancer patients from surgical colleagues and from the non-surgical staff of Clatterbridge and I will try to assist with advice from my personal and voluntary experiences to achieve that aim.

Nominated Governor – University of Liverpool

Andrew became a Governor for the Trust in 2022 and is originally from New Zealand. Andrew is a clinical-academic Head & Neck Surgeon from an Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery background, providing cancer and reconstructive surgical care to Head & Neck patients at Aintree Hospital.

As a member of the Merseyside Head & Neck Oncology Research Group (MHNORG), he pursues both academic and surgical research interests, integrating "bench to bedside" research ambitions. He has interests in novel technologies and therapies and how they can be incorporated into routine clinical care to achieve improvements in outcomes.

Nominated Governor – Liverpool City Council

Nominated Governor – Macmillan Cancer Support

Nancy joined our Trust in 2022 and works for Macmillan Cancer Support as a Strategic Partnership Manager. Her team work with stakeholders and many NHS organisations across Cheshire and Merseyside to improve cancer services.

Nancy feels privileged to be able to make a small contribution to enhance a person's experience when they receive a cancer diagnosis and is delighted to be an Appointed Governor representing Macmillan Cancer Support. She works closely with colleagues at Clatterbridge to ensure people with cancer receive high quality, personalised care.

Nancy is passionate about improving services for people with cancer, ensuring they are accessible to all and offer the right information and support at the right time. Nancy knows that her role as a Clatterbridge Governor and continued partnership working will support this.