The Trust currently has a Council consisting of 27 Governors: 16 elected public governors, 7 elected staff governors and 4 nominated governors. We currently have 5 Public Governor vacancies.

Nominated governors are those appointed by the Trust's partner organisations and key stakeholders. Currently represented by Lancashire County Council (LCC), University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), N-Compass and Age UK (Blackburn with Darwen). 

The role of the Council of Governors is to hold the Board of Directors to account for the performance of the Trust and be representative of the views of the membership and public. 

The staff and public members of the Council are appointed by democratic election and serve for a period of three years. A governor may be re-elected under those same democratic processes for a further and final term of three years. There are five staff constituencies across the full range of professional and support disciplines and roles and all staff members are eligible to stand for election as vacancies arise in their constituency. All vacancies are widely advertised to staff and staff members are invited to vote in the election process.

The Council of Governors have a responsibility to declare all relevant interests as defined in Section 18 of our Constitution

Downloadable Documents

In these documents, you'll find more information about the governor role and foundation trusts.


Meet the Governors

Sadiq Asmal

First Term: 05/01/2023 - 04/01/2026

I was born in Preston and continue to reside there with my family. I am happily married with two sons and a daughter. I have a strong passion for improving our NHS. In 2015, I worked closely with PMS and helped raise over £38,000 to help buy life-saving equipment for Royal Preston Hospital. I am aiming to develop stronger links between the Trust and the local community, and want to bring the community together to help address the needs of local hospitals. I am keen to make use of my previous experiences, such as when I set up and constructed a charity hospital, to help my colleagues in achieving shared goals.


David Hargreaves, Lead Governor

First Term: 01/02/2020 - 04/01/2023

Second Term: 05/01/2023 - 04/01/2026

David was born, raised and educated in Walton-le-Dale, Preston before moving to live in Cottam, Preston with his wife and young family.  David is a Senior Executive in a large multi-national engineering company in Lancashire, having started as an apprentice 25 years ago and performing a number of varied engineering and management roles to date.  David has also been a small business owner in the local area for many years and more recently has become a business mentor supporting small and medium businesses nationwide.  

Having had several family members utilise the Trust’s community services, David has a keen interest in improving these services within the Lancashire and South Cumbria area.  David has a particular interest in the Trust’s digital, transformation and estate planning agendas and believes his experience working in both large corporate industry and small businesses will help him to fulfil his role effectively as an NHS governor.


Anita Murray

First Term: 05/01/2023 - 04/01/2026

Anita was born and raised in Preston and left for university in West London, with a formative year in France both studying and on work placement. It was her UK placement in an oil and gas logistics role that led to her twenty year career, including two years in Norway and visiting many countries for business and leisure.

Whilst in London, she was an avid fencer and won the Middlesex novice trophy and university try colours. Since returning to Preston she has been the West Lancashire area manager for a poker league, in which she won several trophies, and a couple of badminton trophies too. Her hobbies include exploring the outdoors, walking, hiking and camping.

Anita has much experience in Mental Health services, both as a patient and through attending, running groups and supporting others. After working in the Energy industry for 20 years, Anita was looking for a new role where she could add value and learn something new. Anita was therefore keen on learning more about the operations of the Trust and being a Governor.


Vacancy x 1 in Central Lancashire Constituency

Steven Gratrix

Second Term: 22/05/2023 - 21/05/2026

 

Bio to follow.


Zacky Hameed 

First Term: 05/01/2023 - 04/01/2026
 

Bio to follow.

Colin Ranshaw

First Term: 01/02/2022 - 31/01/2025

Colin was a registered Pharmacist for 40 years and worked in both Hospital and Community Pharmacies also within Academia and the Pharmaceutical Industry. Colin has been involved at senior level with many major NHS changes in my previous roles as a Hospital Consultant Pharmacist, Chairman of the Welsh Executive and Council Member of The Royal Pharmaceutical Society. Colin has chaired professional organisations and working committees at Local and National levels.

Colin is currently the Chairman of South Lakeland Hydrotherapy Ltd (Sandgate Hydrotherapy Pool, Kendal) and has been a Trustee of Cumbria County Volunteering Services for over 5 years (presently Deputy Chairman).  Colin was a Public Governor at Cumbria Partnership NHS FT and whilst at University Hospitals Morecambe Bay NHS FT held the role of Deputy Head Governor and subsequently Head Governor.

Outside of ‘Health’ Colin is a Trustee of Stricklandgate House Trust, South Lakes Citizens Advice and Sunderland University Alumni where he was Chairman of the University of Sunderland Students’ Union (2014-2019) and held an appointment as an Honorary Professor at the School of Pharmacy at Nottingham University (2014-18).

Colin was honoured with the award of Fellowship of the University of Sunderland in 2019 (his alma mater).


Vacancies x 2 in North Lancashire & South Cumbria

 

Vacancy x 1 in Out of Area

Steph Holmes

First Term: 01/02/2019 - 31/12/2021

Second Term: 01/01/2022 - 31/01/2025

Steph was born and educated in Blackburn, but has lived the last half-century in Darwen. Before she retired, Steph had a varied career as an electronics designer, inventor, ICT manager, and teacher/lecturer. She is now heavily involved in the third sector, starting and running the award winning Chrysalis Transsexual Support Groups, which offer support and advocacy within the many strands of the NHS, the Police and justice system, the education system, and employment services amongst many others, and incorporates a third party hate crime reporting service. Steph is passionate about supporting the young, working closely with Children’s Services, and sees education as the primary driver towards greater understanding of trans, giving workshops and presentations countrywide to surgeries, hospitals, schools, councils, etc.

Steph's voluntary roles are many and various and include: at Lancashire Constabulary she is Chair of the East IAG and a member of several teams; she sits on the scrutiny panel at the Crown Prosecution Service; is an Associate Lecturer at UCLan; and is a trans policy consultant for education and business. Steph hopes to bring a different perspective to Mental Health services having been involved as a service user and advocate.


Hamad Saleem

First Term: 01/02/2019 - 31/12/2021

Second Term: 01/01/2022 - 31/01/2025

Hamad is born into a medical family, with his late father being a GP in the area. He himself is a pharmacologist and studied locally doing his MSc hons in Medical sciences. He has worked in Pharmaceuticals and has worked in the caring sector too. He is passionate about health and is a director of a mental health Company too. He has vast experience in Mental Health. He is a huge fan of holistic therapies too. He wants to revisit old relationships within Lancashire to make a stronger approach in improving the trusts working partnerships with local resources.


Mohammed Sidat, MBE

First Term: 01/02/2022 - 31/12/2025

Director of Operations, IMO Charity. Mohammed is the founder of the IMO Charity in Blackburn. The IMO Charity was started in 2006 to help support disadvantaged young people and their families in Blackburn. Mohammed was made an MBE in the Queen’s Honours list in 2020 in recognition of his charitable services to the community.


Vacancy x 1 in Pennine

 

Andrea De Cort

First Term: 01/02/2022 - 31/01/2025

Andrea is a retired Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Inspector. Her experience in HSE has equipped her to see the bigger picture, to deal effectively with large complex organisations, engage in high risk, multi-disciplinary, politically sensitive environments and work collaboratively with relevant specialists and stakeholders.

Andrea joined the Ainsdale Medical Centre Patient Participation Group (PPG) in 2021: attends Sefton Healthwatch Champions Meetings; and has participated in Breast Cancer Awareness, and Access to General Practitioner (GP) Services publicity campaigns.

Andrea’s interests include walking, current affairs, animal welfare, conservation and travel. She is married, has three grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and two Greyhounds. Since retiring, Andrea has volunteered at a Greyhound Rescue Charity, which she finds tremendously rewarding.


Ken Lowe

First Term: 01/02/2018 - 31/01/2021
Second Term: 01/02/2021 - 31/01/2024

Born in Scotland in 1947, Ken has worked and lived in several countries, working for various large international companies in the UK and overseas as a Project Manager and for the last 10 years in employment as an OD (Organisation & Development) consultant. After taking the golden parachute Ken then operated as an independent OD consultant for a further 10 years in business process improvement in the UK and the Middle East. Ken’s background and first degree was in human and comparative physiology and anatomy. A module in brain, biology and behaviour led him to his BSc (Hons) in cognitive and social psychology and he has used that as his framework in OD.

In his youth, Ken played handball at international level and a fair amount of squash and badminton. Golf was something that Ken started at an early age, but wasn’t something he continued. Ken’s wife is a scratch golfer, so he caddies for her and gets vicarious enjoyment from golf.

Since retiring 8 years ago, Ken volunteers for the RNLI and Meals on Wheels for Ainsdale Community Care. Ken is the Sefton Healthwatch Locality representative for Birkdale and Ainsdale and a member of the steering group. Ken is also the Chair of the Southport & Formby Champions Forum where he receives regular contact and updates from various voluntary groups and from service providers including LSCFT. At Healthwatch, Ken is actively involved in Enter and View of health and social care providers in Sefton.

Asher Ayres, Partnership Organisation

Head of Services at Carers N-Compass

Asher is a Senior Manager with over 10 years experience managing in the non-profit sector. Asher's experience includes managing Carers, Mental Health, Heath Training and Health and Wellbeing Services.


Jez Buffin, Higher Education

Deputy Head of the School of Social Work, Care and Community at the University of Central Lancashire.

Jez has a background in law, social work and education and qualified as a social worker in 1991. Jez has worked in the fields of substance misuse, mental health, homelessness and learning disability in both the voluntary and statutory sectors. Since coming to the university (initially on secondment) in 2000, Jez has specialised in using strengths-based, participatory and community engagement methodologies to develop and manage programmes of work with a range of diverse and 'hard to reach' communities including:

  • Black and minority ethnic groups
  • Faith groups, including Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh and Buddhist groups
  • Refugees and asylum seekers
  • Roma people
  • Lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgendered groups
  • Travellers
  • Older people
  • Offenders
  • Mental health service users
  • Substance misusers
  • People with learning disabilities

Jez has managed several large scale national programmes of work on behalf of the Department of Health and the Home Office, and has worked with regulatory bodies including the Care Quality Commission and the General Medical Council.


Vicky Shepherd, Public Health and Wellbeing

Chief Executive at Age UK Blackburn with Darwen

Vicky's career to date has been spent in the voluntary sector starting in community development. Vicky has over 20 years’ experience of developing, delivering and managing services for older people at a local and regional level and currently chairs the Age UK National Network Services Development Committee focusing on quality, innovation and collaboration. Vicky represents the voluntary sector on a number of strategic boards including the Safeguarding Board, Health and Wellbeing Board and within the Pennine Lancashire Integrated Care Partnership structures. Vicky is also a trustee of two other local charities which focus on supporting people in the community with additional support needs.


Sue Whittam, Public Health and Wellbeing

County Councillor at Lancashire County Council

Sue lives in Fulwood and is married with two children, two step-children and three springer spaniels. 

Sue's background is in Local Government having spent 28 years working for Lancashire County Council and the Environment Agency. Sue is a member of Preston City Council and Lancashire County Councillor for Preston Rural Division (Lead Member for Health).


Andrew Gallagley, Medical Staff Constituency

First Term: 01/01/2021 - 31/12/2024

Andrew is a Consultant in Old Age Psychiatry (Fylde Coast RITT /CMHT) based in Lytham. He was born and raised in Manchester and graduated from Leeds Medical school in 1990. After initial posts in medicine, surgery, orthopaedics, geriatric medicine, A&E, paediatrics and General Practice, Andrew has worked as a psychiatrist in the North West since 1995. Andrew's psychiatry training involved a rotation through various sub-speciality posts in Preston, Blackburn. Lancaster, Bolton, Chorley and Manchester. Andrew has been a consultant since 2006 and initially worked in Ormskirk with his first substantive consultant post being in Blackpool in 2008.

Andrew is a consultant representative on the Local Negotiating Committee for this Trust and has previously held a management role as Deputy to the Associate Medical Director for Older Adults covering the North sector. Andrew currently lives with his wife and son in Lytham St Anne’s.


Nick King, Nursing Professionals & Support Staff Constituency

First Term: 01/02/2022 - 31/01/2025

Nick has worked for the NHS for almost 20 years and is currently the Patient Safety Lead for the Safety Department and has worked within Mental Health Inpatient, Community Mental Health and Home Treatment Team settings; both in frontline and management roles. For the last few years Nick has worked in the Patient Safety Department, and is involved in the day-to-day management of incidents that happen in the Trust, with particular emphasis on the Pennine network currently.

Nick lives with his partner and three children and has been a school governor for a number of years.

Nick hopes to use his professional and life experiences to help the Trust be better each and every day to a point where we achieve excellence in all that we do. Nick has a strong work ethic and highly values the principles of teamwork and respect for all. Nick believes himself to be supportive, but also positively critical, when needs be and intends to provide a voice, which echoes the concerns and wishes of frontline nurses, to those that lead us.


Muhammad Laher, Corporate Constituency
First Term: 01/01/2021 - 31/12/2024

Muhammad is currently a Finance Business Partner in the Corporate Services Division at LSCFT. Muhammad is a qualified CIPFA (CCAB) Accountant, having graduated with 1st class BA (Honours) degree in Accounting & Finance.  Muhammad has ten years’ experience in a professional accountancy role.  Muhammad is a proactive worker, committed and determined to succeed in academics as well as the work place.


Mo Mangera, Admin & Clerical Constituency

First Term: 01/01/2021 - 31/12/2024

Mo is the Locality Administration Lead for Preston/ Chorley Central Lancashire & South Ribble and a Freedom to Speak Ambassador. Mo has been with the Trust since 2016. Prior to that Mo worked for Public Health England at Central Manchester Trust. Mo has also worked in ELHT, Salford, and Bolton Acute Trust along with 6 years of GP Practise with around 14 years of NHS experience in admin roles. Mo graduated in Business Management combined with HRM & Finance. Mo hopes that by listening to staff he will be able to help influence change thereby making LSCFT a great and safe place to work.

Out of work Mo is involved with lots of community projects helping to bridge the gap between communities.


Max Oosman, Nursing Professionals and Support Staff Constituency

First Term: 01/01/2021 - 31/12/2024

Max is a registered Community Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and is currently on his 49th year of continuous service in the NHS.

Max is passionate about Nursing, Quality, Continued Learning, Improvement and Dementia Care. Max is an Ambassador for Nursing Now England which is about promoting Nursing and reducing the gender gap globally. Max belongs to the Q community which is led by the Health Foundation and NHS England/Improvement.

Max is a specialist mental health advisor for the CQC and enjoys undertaking regular inspection with that organisation to ensure patients and staff are treated with respect and dignity.

Max is a champion for the Alzheimer’s Society and spends time raising awareness of Dementia locally and nationally and was recently a key note speaker at their National Conference.

Max would like to share his live and learnt experience to inspire others and to share how he has survived and flourished in what can be at times a very turbulent and challenging NHS. Max is a voice for Nurses who aspire collectively to make change happen and improve outcome for patients and carers.


Emily Richardson Nursing Professionals and Support Staff Constituency

First Term: 05/01/2023 - 04/01/2026

Emily is from the Lancaster area and works in Chorley as a Mental Health Nurse, managing a female acute ward. Emily is passionate about improving patient care and ensuring that the team delivers compassionate care.

Emily loves to be involved in quality improvement work and champions this within the team. Emily has an interest in the Governor role and she is keen to represent the views of frontline nursing staff and to ensure that the patient's voice is heard and represented in organisational discussions.


Sallyann Walker, Other Clinical Staff Constituency and Chair of the Membership Engagement Committee

First Term: 01/02/2018 - 31/01/2021

Second Term: 01/02/2021 - 31/01/2024

Sallyann is an Allied Health Professional (AHP) lead in the Mental Health Network and has worked for LSCFT and its predecessor organisation since 1999. Sallyann began work on a Physical and Mental Health rotation before channelling her clinical expertise into Older Adult Mental Health. Sallyann has enjoyed and gained much satisfaction from the experiences she has had, working with carers, patients and stakeholders. Sallyann has had the opportunity to contribute to many individual's care, working best when collaborating to make the intervention and care offered, individual and person centred.

Sallyann has known many staff governors over her time with LSCFT and heard stories of opportunities they have had, to contribute to important and influential discussions representing others. On seeing the advert for a new member to join the Council of Governors and having spoken with the then person in post Sallyann was encouraged to further seize the opportunity. Sallyann's current post as Allied Health Professional (AHP) lead in the Mental Health Network demonstrates that she has joined the Council to represent all AHPs not just her chosen profession.

Sallyann is a mother of two lively young boys and balances work and home life to allow her to give her best to both.

Council of Governors Meetings

Our Council of Governors meetings are currently taking place virtually via Microsoft Teams, however this is under continual review in accordance with governance guidelines.

If you would like to request any meeting minutes or to register your attendance for the next governors meeting, please contact Peter Swift, Senior Corporate Governance Officer on 01772 676021 or email on Peter.Swift@lscft.nhs.uk.

Council of Governors Meeting Dates 2023/24:


Meeting packs

Download the Council Of Governors meeting packs below. 

2023/24

2022/23


2021/22

2020/21


2018/19

2017/18