Meet our Trust Board members

Shazad joined the ELHT Trust Board as Chair on 5 December 2022. He has an extensive amount of experience both in the NHS and externally, as well as a wealth of Board and senior management expertise in community engagement, corporate governance, performance and risk management.

Living with his family in Pendle, he has a passion for change and innovation and is an advocate of asset-based community development and making sure that services are informed and developed in collaboration with service users.

Martin commenced the role of Chief Executive on 9 August, 2022 after holding the role on an interim basis since 1 September, 2021. He joined the Trust in November 2009, from Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust where he was Executive Director of Children’s Services.

He has a background in operational management and has considerable experience of implementing major strategic change and takes a lead role in the development of clinical services with partners across both the Pennine Lancashire and wider Lancashire and South Cumbria footprints.

Shahid is currently acting as Interim Executive Medical Director whilst a permanent appointment is made.

Peter joined the Trust in March 2023 from Blackpool Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust where he held the role of Executive Director of Nursing.

He completed his Nurse Training in 1991 and has worked in a large number of roles within nursing across a number of organisations.

He is passionate about ensuring both patients and staff receive the best possible care and experience as they access services.

Sam joined the Trust in November 2024 and has over 25 years experience with the NHS.

Since joining the North West Financial Management Training Scheme in 1995, she has held senior finance roles in commissioner, provider and strategic health authority, most recently as Interim Director of Strategic Finance for NHS England North West.

She has also spent two years at Greater Manchester Police and has experience of working in local authorities and the education sector.

Sharon joined the Trust in December 2017. She has considerable operational management experience and has held Executive Director posts in two Acute Trusts before joining the Trust.

She has a track record for delivery and is passionate about excellent patient care and staff development.

Sharon was appointed as a second Deputy Chief Executive at ELHT in January 2023.

Trish has over 30 years’ experience working in health and social care services and has enjoyed roles across a wide range of settings, including executive Board appointments.

She has a proven ability in both provision and commissioning of services, strong negotiation and influencing skills in addition to a strong working knowledge of the key challenges facing the current NHS system.

Graham is the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Central Lancashire having previously been the Vice-Chancellor of Solent University, Southampton for five years. Prior to joining Solent, he worked at the University of Central Lancashire in a number of senior-management roles, culminating in the role of Deputy Vice-Chancellor.

He is Deputy Chair of the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) and the Treasurer of Million Plus, the Association for Modern Universities. He previously chaired the Board of Kendal College and the boards of various charities and companies with a range of functions from a dental clinic to scientific consulting.

Khalil is the co-founder of Medisina UK Ltd, a UK and US based Non-Governmental Organisation which delivers primary health care programmes with a particular focus on healthcare technologies where he leads the programme management and fundraising functions.

He has previously been the Chief Executive at Doctors Worldwide Ltd, an international health charity delivering humanitarian aid, healthcare services and community health interventions to impoverished communities. Prior to this he was the Director of Finance at SteppingStones Charity, where he oversaw the increase in the income to the charity by 40% in two years.

Catherine has an impressive career spanning over 37 years, with a wealth of leadership experience in national safeguarding for NHS England, as a former Chief Nurse and through providing important support at East Lancashire Hospitals Trust in the response to COVID-19.

In addition to her career, Catherine holds the title of Honorary Professor at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) and was awarded the honoured of Queen's Nurse in 2022.

As part of her role, Catherine Chairs the Trust's quality committee, further advancing her mission to enhance healthcare quality and patient experiences.

Liz is a Fellow of the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants in England and Wales and has a remarkable career spanning two decades.

During this time, she has operated a highly successful management consultancy firm, offering expert accountancy and strategic finance support to a wide array of public sector organisations and businesses.

Liz has a keen interest in understanding and improving the patient's experience and helping to develop seamless care between hospital and community settings for the benefit of patients.

Sallie joined the Trust in December 2024 - further details will be available shortly.

Tony joined the Trust as a Divisional General Manager in October 2015 and prior to his current role, was Deputy Director of Operations at the Trust for 2½ years.

With almost 25 years’ experience working across public services, Tony has held senior roles in primary and secondary care, physical and mental health services and health and social care in London, Oxfordshire and Lancashire including joint posts spanning the NHS and Local Government.

Shelley Wright joined the Trust in January 2021 as Executive Director of Communications. 

Shelley joined from Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust where she was Executive Director of Communications and prior to this she was Director of Communications for the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.

Kate joined the NHS in 2000 as an NHS General Management Trainee. Since that time she has held a variety of roles including as a commissioner of adult and emergency services in Manchester and as an Operational Manager at Pennine Acute NHS Hospitals.

Kate moved to East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust in 2008 and during her 13 years here has been the Head of Contracting, Associate Director of Service Development and more latterly the Associate Director of Improvement. Kate is a local resident and is passionate about living and working in East Lancashire.

Melissa has gained extensive senior management experience within the third sector - organisations that are not for profit and non-governmental.

Her time at Age Concern, the Royal Voluntary Service and more recently at Citizens Advice, demonstrated her skills in steering organisational strategy, service development, overseeing whistleblowing investigations and managing stakeholder relationships.