Foundation Trust members have elected a Council of Governors. The Council is made up of 17 public governors (three in North of Tyne, five in South of Tyne, two in Durham and four in Teesside), one 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!
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
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.
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.
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 class: Emergency operations centre
Frazer Gregory
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.
