Our Board of Directors

Our Board is chaired by Professor Andrew George and is made up of non-executive and executive directors. There are up to 15 voting members. They are:

Non-executive directors         

Andrew George - Chair

Suzanne Shale - Vice Chair

Damien Régent

Jo Stimpson

Nina Hingorani-Crain

Jim Shaikh

Sophy Proctor

Muneeza Aumir

Executive directors

Ify Okocha - Chief Executive Officer

Iain Dimond - Chief Operating Officer

Abi Fadipe - Chief Medical Officer

Jane Wells - Chief Nursing Officer

Neil Springham - Chief Therapies Officer

Rachel Evans - Chief People and Strategy Officer

Azara Mukhtar - Chief Financial Officer

Our Senior Independent Director is Jo Stimpson.

We aim for our Board of Directors to reflect the population we serve and, as vacancies arise, we review the make-up of the board to ensure we have the right balance of skills and experience.

The Board of Directors and Council of Governors work closely together. The directors run the trust’s services and develop strategies and plans for the future. Directors are accountable for meeting national standards, performance targets and financial requirements. They report to the membership through the Council of Governors on the running and performance of the trust.

The governors agree the strategic direction of the trust and represent the views of the trust’s members. A report from the Council of Governors is a standing item on the Board of Directors’ agenda and the Chair of the trust chairs both the Council of Governors and the Board of Directors.

Board members bring a wide range of skills and experience to benefit our organisation – meet them here.

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Dr Ify Okocha | Chief Executive

Dr Ify Okocha | Chief Executive

Dr Ify Okocha qualified in Medicine in 1985 and after training in psychiatry obtained his membership of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in 1992. He was appointed consultant in 1996 and in the same year obtained his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) degree from the Institute of Psychiatry and King's College, London where he did his doctorate and post-doctorate research in psychosis and psychopharmacology respectively.

He has received commendations and won many national awards for the high-quality care clinical teams working for him deliver. These include: the National Association of Psychiatric Intensive Care and Low Secure Units (NAPICU) Team of the Year award; the Care Services Improvement Partnership 'Positive Practice' award; commendation by Hospital Doctors Award Committee; award of the British Association of Medical Managers and the Royal College of Psychiatrist Medical Manager/Leader of the Year (2009). He is on the Roll of Honour of the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

He was Medical Director and Deputy Chief Executive at Oxleas before becoming Chief Executive.

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