The Trust is governed by our Board, which has overall responsibility for delivering services and is accountable for operational performance as well as our strategic direction.
Each of our three hospital sites at Aintree, the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen and Liverpool Clinical Laboratories is managed by a Hospital Management Board, which includes a Board Director, Medical Director, Director of Nursing, Director of Operations, Director of Finance and Director of Human Resources (HR) and leads from a range of support functions.
This gives each of our sites greater autonomy and the ability to have increased oversight of their opportunities, risks and issues.
Day to day management of the hospital sites is undertaken by the directors outlined below, working as Hospital Leadership Teams. This will include aspects relating to workforce, finances and quality and safety.
As a Trust we operate as one organisation, sharing the same vision and values across each of our sites.
Our Executive Team will continue to have oversight and make decisions that impact the organisation at a Trust level, while Hospital Leadership Teams have devolved control of aspects that impact the effective running of our hospitals.
Aintree University Hospital Leadership Team
Executive Managing Director for Aintree University Hospital: Peter Turkington
Peter Turkington joined LUHFT in May 2023 as Executive Managing Director for Aintree Hospital. Before joining LUHFT, Peter worked at Salford Care Organisation, firstly as Medical Director between 2013-2019 and then as Chief Officer and Medical Director.
He was also chair of the division of Salford healthcare between 2010 and 2013, where he led on the development of the Emergency Village.
Peter’s experience in overseeing several of these initiatives are of great value to the ever-developing Aintree site where he manages all elements of care, as well as leading and managing the Aintree Hospital against our agreed strategy and objectives.
Medical Director: Rebecca Hanlon
Rebecca was born in Manchester and studied Medicine at Leeds Medical School between 1988 and 1993. She completed her medical training around Yorkshire and Manchester, moving to Liverpool in 1996 to begin five years of Radiology training. Rebecca completed the FRCR in 1999 and was appointed as a Radiology Consultant to Aintree in 2001.
Rebecca developed a lead role in Head and Neck Radiology at Aintree. Between 2002 and 2022 she held various management positions eg Radiology Clinical Tutor, Appraiser, Regional TPD for Radiology, Radiology CD, Deputy DMD and then finally DMD for the Division of Support Services.
In January 2022, she was appointed as the Medical Director for the Aintree site.
"I am extremely proud to work with so many excellent colleagues at LUHFT. I am dedicated to improving clinical services and making the most effective use of resources for the patients and staff at LUHFT."
Interim Director of Nursing: Jenny Taylor
Jenny qualified as a Nurse in 1999 and has worked for LUHFT for the last 23 years.
Jenny has worked in different clinical and leadership roles, as a staff nurse, ward sister and nurse practitioner, lead nurse, Head of Patient Experience and Quality, Divisional Director of Nursing and now as the Director of Nursing at our Broadgreen Hospital.
She is currently expanding her knowledge and moving into the second year of a master’s in business studies.
Jenny is proud and humbled to work for such a fantastic organisation.
“As a child, I always wanted to be a Nurse. My Mum worked for the Royal Liverpool Hospital and always said it’s a “fantastic place to work.” I wanted to make a difference for the people of Liverpool.”
Director of Operations: Neil Holland
Neil Holland joined Aintree University Hospital in July 2018, as Divisional Director of Operations and was subsequently appointed to the role of Deputy Chief Operating Officer for Liverpool University Hospitals in January 2020.
In this role he had oversight of clinical service divisions across the four Trust sites, then moving in 2023 to the role of Director of Operations for Aintree in the new Hospital Services Model.
Neil qualified as a Diagnostic Radiographer at Manchester Foundation Trust in 2001, he has subsequently worked across a number of NHS and Private Healthcare Providers over his 20 year career and came to LUHFT from Warrington & Halton NHS FT where he held the role of Divisional Director (Acute Care) from 2015-2018.
Neil retains his registration as an Allied Health Professional (AHP), and also holds a master's degree in healthcare leadership attained via the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Programme.
He has extensive experience working across the local health and care systems from his current and previous roles which he has studied both locally and internationally in Catalonia.
Neil has acted as lead director on a number of high profile system transformations during his time at LUHFT, including the development of the new Hyper Acute Stroke Pathway across North Mersey completed in 2023.
Director of Finance: Shahida Mohammed
Shahida is a distinguished finance professional with over 25 years of experience in senior roles, she commenced her career as an auditor and since then has worked in several organisations. Most recently at Wirral University Teaching Hospital as Deputy Director of Finance, Shahida has excelled in navigating financially challenged environments, developing innovative financial strategies, and driving significant operational improvements.
Shahida’s expertise spans a wide range of critical areas, including financial management, long-term financial modelling and strategic contract negotiation. Her remarkable performance record highlights her ability to lead and manage effectively, fostering staff development and driving organisational progress.
As an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) Champion and Sponsor on The NHS Finance Sponsorship Programme, Shahida is dedicated to supporting underrepresented groups within the NHS, advocating for a more inclusive and equitable workplace.
A Fellow of The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA), Shahida combines practical expertise with academic rigour, making her a vital asset in the financial landscape of LUHFT.
Director of People: Jenny Grant
Jenny joined LUFT in November 2023 as Director of People and brings with her over 20 years’ experience of working in the NHS.
Her career started in the Healthcare Commission in 2002 and since then she has held a variety of senior Human Resources and Organisational Development roles working in a range of NHS organisation including acute, specialist and community services. Most recently Jenny worked at Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust where she was the Deputy Director of People.
Jenny has significant experience of successful workforce development and organisational change and is passionate and committed to supporting the Trust to be a great place to work.
Jenny holds a Degree in Business and Human Resources and a Masters in Personnel and Development. In 2023 Jenny completed the NHS Nye Bevan Executive Leadership Programme.
Broadgreen Hospital Leadership Team
Chief People Officer and Executive Managing Director: Heather Barnett
Heather joined LUHFT in January 2023 as Chief People Officer.
She was previously Executive Director of People and Organisational Development at Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS foundation Trust, a role which she held between 2018 and 2022. Heather also became the Interim Deputy Chief Executive at Mid Cheshire Hospitals Foundation Trust for a period of time, during 2022.
Heather has previously worked at Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust as the Director of Workforce and Organisational Development and brings a wealth of expertise in successful change management, organisational development and executive coaching. Her career started in the NHS in 2002 at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board in Wales, leading the wellbeing and inclusion agenda.
Heather has over 10 years’ experience of working as a Director within the NHS. During this time, Heather has focused her energy and passion in developing leadership capability and actively promoting women in leadership.
Heather has a Masters degree in Human Resource Management and a further Masters degree in Executive coaching.
Medical Director: Harry Rourke
Harry Rourke was born in Aintree Hospital and grew up in Maghull.
He attended medical school in Cambridge and trained in surgery in East Anglia and Edinburgh before coming back to Merseyside for orthopaedic registrar training.
He was appointed as a consultant at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital in 2013.
During the pandemic he led on creating a Covid unit in the new Royal Liverpool University Hospital. Soon after he became the Clinical Director of Liverpool Orthopaedic and Trauma Service, one of the UKs largest orthopaedic services.
In 2022. he became Medical Director of Broadgreen Hospital where he has focussed on structuring its leadership, writing the site strategic plan and collaborating with Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital.
Harry has a parallel career in the Royal Naval Reserve and has served in Afghanistan, at sea and on land with Royal Marines. In 2015 he took a sabbatical from the NHS to attend Advanced Command Staff Course at Defence Academy. He is currently serving as Captain North.
Director of Nursing: Jenny Taylor
Jenny qualified as a Nurse in 1999 and has worked for LUHFT for the last 23 years.
Jenny has worked in different clinical and leadership roles, as a staff nurse, ward sister and nurse practitioner, lead nurse, Head of Patient Experience and Quality, Divisional Director of Nursing and now as the Director of Nursing at our Broadgreen Hospital.
She is currently expanding her knowledge and moving into the second year of a master’s in business studies.
Jenny is proud and humbled to work for such a fantastic organisation.
“As a child, I always wanted to be a Nurse. My Mum worked for the Royal Liverpool Hospital and always said it’s a “fantastic place to work.” I wanted to make a difference for the people of Liverpool.”
Director of Operations: Mark Carmichael
Mark Carmichael was appointed Director of Operations for Broadgreen Hospital on 10 June 2024.
He joined Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust as Divisional Director of Operations for Medicine at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital in September 2023.
Mark has worked in the NHS for two decades. He previously worked at the formerly known Pennine Acute Hospitals Foundation Trust, now Northern Care Alliance and Manchester Foundation Trust, for ten years in diagnostics and medicine. Mark was also appointed as Associate Chief Operating Officer at Alder Hey Childrens Hospital.
Mark oversaw a major improvement in Critical Care services at Warrington and Halton Hospitals, seeing their CQC rating moving from Requires Improvement to Outstanding.
He said: “I am excited to work closely with colleagues to deliver noticeable improvements in our services and the standards of care they provide to our communities.”
Royal Liverpool University Hospital Leadership Team
Executive Managing Director for The Royal Liverpool University Hospital: Natalie Hudson
Natalie Hudson joined LUHFT as Executive Managing Director for the Royal Liverpool site in May 2023.
Natalie commenced her NHS career in 2009 as a qualified accountant before working as Director of Operations at East Lancashire Hospitals and more recently, Blackpool Teaching Hospitals where she was Chief Operating Officer from April 2021 to before she joined LUHFT.
She has a wealth of knowledge and experience in surgery, theatres, critical care and emergency medicine. She has also led on several large-scale initiatives to improve patient experience and flow.
As Executive Managing Director, Natalie plays a critical role in supporting the delivery of our ongoing improvement plan by working alongside our Hospital Leadership Teams and managing all elements of care.
Medical Director: Oliver Zuzan
Before Oliver became a doctor he worked as a paramedic for eight years.
He graduated from medical school in 1994 and completed his postgraduate training in anaesthesia and critical care at Hannover Medical School University Hospital in Germany.
Oliver joined the Trust as a consultant in anaesthesia and critical care in 2001.
Having acted as audit lead, transfusion lead and lead for postoperative critical care within the department, he was appointed as Clinical Director for Anaesthesia and Theatres in 2015, and then Care Group Clinical Director for Anaesthesia and Theatres and Critical Care from 2016-2019.
Following the merger of Aintree University Hospital and the Royal Liverpool University and Broadgreen Hospitals, Oliver was appointed as the Divisional Medical Director for ACHT (Anaesthesia, Critical Care, Head and Neck and Theatres) including Ophthalmology, Liverpool University Dental Hospital and Dermatology.
In January 2022, he was appointed as the Medical Director for the Royal site.
“I came to LUHFT for international experience, as the anaesthetic department had a national and international reputation.
"I intended to stay for two years but decided to stay because of the excellent culture in my department and the wider hospital.
"I found people to be supportive and kind, creating a civil and safe environment.
"I was also impressed by the professionalism and humility of clinical colleagues, including doctors, nurses and AHPs, and their constant drive to learn and improve.”
Director of Nursing: Lindsey Vlasman
Lindsey joined LUHFT in August 2024 and brings over 27 years’ experience in nursing and operational roles across Cheshire and Merseyside.
Lindsey qualified as a nurse in 1997 and started her nursing career in LUHFT. Since then, Lindsey has held roles as General Manager, Divisional Director of Nursing, Deputy Chief Nurse, Interim Chief Nurse and most recently Chief Operating Officer at The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust.
She holds a BSc Hons in Health and Social Care Practice, MSc in Advanced Practice and is a graduate of the NHS Leadership Academy’s Elizabeth Garrett Anderson programme.
Lindsey is passionate about making a difference to patient and family centred care and ensuring patients have the best possible experience.
Director of Operations: Joanne Eccles
Joanne began her career in the NHS training as a Registered General Nurse at Manchester Royal Infirmary in 1990. Post registration Joanne specialised for 10 years in A&E nursing and gained a Masters Degree in Medical Law and Ethics. As she progressed in her nursing career as a Divisional Nurse, Joanne expanded her portfolio to include acute medicine, ophthalmology and dental services.
Joanne’s role evolved into operational leadership, and she gained extensive experience across surgical specialities, major trauma and theatres at CMFT in Manchester.
In 2016, she was privileged to hold a nationally high-profile role leading the introduction of the new Nurse Associate role across 12 Acute NHS Trusts in Greater Manchester.
Joanne has eight years leadership experience as a Divisional Director of Operations in two of the largest Acute NHS Trusts in the country, and specialist dental and ophthalmology hospitals.
Most recently, in September 2023, she was delighted to be appointed as Interim Director of Operations for the Royal site. This has given Joanne an opportunity to apply her wide experience of acute services to operationally lead the hospital with the ambition to provide our patients and staff with the very best experience of the NHS.
“Having spent most of my career in Manchester, it became incredibly important to me to influence the future of healthcare and career opportunities for my local community.
“I feel very privileged to be trusted with a senior leadership role and I am proud to be part of our evolving organisation and value the opportunity to work alongside such incredible people each day.”
Director of Finance: Jim Davies
Jim Davies was appointed Director of Finance of the Royal Liverpool Hospital in July 2022.
Jim has worked in NHS finance for almost 30 years, and has spent the last six years working as Deputy Director of Finance at Liverpool University Hospitals.
Jim qualified as an accountant back in 1997 with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, and since then has worked across a number of Trusts, including Whittington Health NHS Trust, Wirral University Hospitals NHS FT and Liverpool Heart and Chest NHS FT.
As Director of Finance, Jim will work closely as part of the Hospital Leadership Team, together with clinical and operational colleagues in supporting the delivery of our ongoing improvement plan.
Director of People: Emma Newton
Emma joined LUHFT as Director of People for the Royal Liverpool University Hospital in September 2023.
Emma commenced her NHS career in 2004 in HR and has worked across a range of people and culture roles. Prior to joining LUHFT, she worked at East Cheshire NHS Trust as Director of Workforce Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Deputy Director of People and Culture.
“I love that LUFHT is a values driven organisation - I see my role as bringing those values to life, and supporting in making us the best place to work in Liverpool for our staff.”
Liverpool Clinical Laboratories Leadership Team
Chief Finance Officer and Executive Managing Director for LCL: Rob Forster
Rob joined LUHFT as Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Finance Officer in April 2020.
He was previously Director of Finance and Deputy Chief Executive at Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust. After qualifying academically and professionally in Law, Rob then went on to become a Chartered Accountant with PricewaterhouseCoopers, and subsequently achieved a Masters in Business Administration.
Rob worked in a variety of senior finance and director roles within General Motors, living and working in both the UK and Europe for a number of years. Rob joined the NHS in 2009.
In addition to his Trust role, Rob chairs the national HFMA Technical Issues Group, Cheshire & Merseyside Provider CFO Group, Finance Skills Development Steering Group and is on the Board of the NHS Finance Leadership Council.
Rob is passionate about advancing the inclusive reach and effectiveness of the Finance profession in the NHS and beyond, with a special interest in innovation and Social Value.
Medical Director: Jim Anson
Dr James Anson has been Medical Director at Liverpool Clinical Laboratories since 2013. A Clinical Microbiologist by trade, he has held many leadership positions at The Royal Liverpool University Hospital NHS Trust since his appointment there in 2001.
James was Trust Director of Infection Prevention and Control from 2004 to 2007, when he took up the post of Clinical Director of Infection and Immunity. He has also been Director of the NIHR Microbiology facility of the Biomedical Research Centre.
Currently, he acts as Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership Pathology Lead.
James is a passionate advocate for working with academia and industry, combining his managerial duties with a busy collaborative research agenda in many clinical areas.
His main clinical interest is invasive fungal infection in immunocompromised hosts and diagnostic-driven approaches to patient management, where he maintains a high level of clinical input into the service.
Outside of LCL, he likes to stay active, by going to the gym and cycling regularly. Recently, James has started running again. He has a passion for history and often bores his colleagues with little known facts.
Managing Director: Andrew Bamber
Andrew joined the team in August 2021 as Director of Operations at Liverpool Clinical Laboratories, after several years as Cheshire and Merseyside Pathology Integration Director. He has had numerous other leadership roles in pathology hospital Trusts, as well as roles in NHS operational management. He still takes and active role in the Pathology Network.
Andrew has contributed to delivery of BSc and MSc programmes at several universities. He is keen on developing colleagues at all levels and takes an active role in mentoring and coaching.
He has published a range of both scientific and management papers, and has had local, regional and national recognition for his contributions.
He has won a number of awards for innovation, management and leadership, including a Health Service Financial Management Efficiency Award and a Northwest NHS Innovation Award. However, he gains the greatest degree of satisfaction by watching those he has supported develop and thrive.
“I hope to make Liverpool Clinical Laboratories the jewel in the crown of Cheshire and Merseyside Pathology services”.
