The NHS North West Leadership Academy is governed by two oversight groups:
North West Leadership and Talent Board
The North West Leadership and Talent Board (L&T Board) is made up of senior leaders from across the North West region, representing a diverse range of organisations, systems, and networks. The Board is responsible for driving, overseeing, and ensuring accountability for inclusive leadership and talent initiatives that align with national, regional, and local system priorities. Members bring a wide range of skills and experience to ensure broad representation across sectors and organisations.
NHS North West Leadership Academy Executive Committee
The NHS North West Leadership Academy Executive Committee comprises representatives from member organisations across the region. The committee provides strategic leadership and oversight for the work of the NHS North West Leadership Academy, helping to align leadership and talent development priorities with the needs of its members. Working closely with the NWLA team and key stakeholders, the committee ensures that member insights are reflected in the Academy’s work and that its support continues to meet the needs of leaders now and into the future.
Silas Nicholls
Chief Executive Officer
Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Professor of Leadership and Healthcare Management
Institute of Medicine, University of Bolton
Co-Chair and member of:
NW Leadership and Talent Board
NHS NWLA Executive Committee
Dr Manisha Kumar
Chief Medical Officer
NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care
Co-Chair and member of:
NW Leadership and Talent Board
NHS NWLA Executive Committee
Frances Dodd
Head of NHS North West Leadership Academy
Member of:
NW Leadership and Talent Board
NHS NWLA Executive Committee
Mike Gibney
Chief People Officer
NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board
Member of:
NW Leadership and Talent Board
NHS NWLA Executive Committee
Dr Neil Pease
Chief People Officer
Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Co-Chair
NW HRD Network
Member of:
NW Leadership and Talent Board
NHS NWLA Executive Committee
Jonathan Griffiths
Director of Primary Care
NHS Cheshire and Merseyside
Member of:
NW Leadership and Talent Board
NHS NWLA Executive Committee
Maggie Oldham
Chief Executive Officer
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Member of:
NW Leadership and Talent Board
NHS NWLA Executive Committee
Melissa Swindell
Chief People Officer
Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust
Member of:
NW Leadership and Talent Board
NHS NWLA Executive Committee
Charlotte Bailey
Chief People Officer
NHS Greater Manchester
Member of:
NW Leadership and Talent Board
NHS NWLA Executive Committee
Sally Senior
Regional Head of Talent and Resourcing
NHS England North West
Member of:
NW Leadership and Talent Board
Gillian Bishop
Chief Executive Officer
North West Employers
Member of:
NW Leadership and Talent Board
Paula Cowan
Medical Director Primary Care
NHS England North West
Member of:
NW Leadership and Talent Board
Chris Cutts
Director of Workforce, Training and Education, NHS England – NW
NHS England North West
Member of:
NW Leadership and Talent Board
David Curtis
Non-executive Director
Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
Member of:
NW Leadership and Talent Board
NHS NWLA Executive Committee
Heather Barnett
Chief People Officer
Liverpool University NHS Foundation Trust
Co-Chair
NW HRD Network
Member of:
NW Leadership and Talent Board
NHS NWLA Executive Committee
Abid Dar
Head of Inclusion and Engagement
NHS England North West
Member of:
NW Leadership and Talent Board