Meet our governors

Our council of governors is made up of service users, carers, staff and others. They hold the board and its decisions to account.

Carer Governor, Adult Services

Roy Fussey

Appointed December 1, 2024

Service user Governor Neuro Disability Services

Russell Bowman

Appointed January 1, 2023

Partner Governor for Cumberland Council

Elaine Lynch

Appointed August 1, 2023

Carer Governor for Learning Disability Services

Rosie Lawrence

Appointed December 1, 2023

Carer Governor for Children and Young People’s Services

Shannon Fairhurst

Appointed December 1, 2023

Partner Governor Northumbria University

Sithandazile Masuku

Appointed December 1, 2023

Staff Governor Clinical

Amber Cormack

Appointed December 1, 2023

Partner Governor for Community and Voluntary Sector

Bea Groves-McDaniel

Appointed December 19, 2023

Carer Governor, Adult Services

Anita Kniveton

Appointed December 1, 2024

Partner Governor for Sunderland University

Yitka Graham

Appointed January 1, 2023

Carer Governor, Neuro Disability Services

Neil Newman

Appointed December 1, 2024

Public Governor, Newcastle / Rest England/Wales

Mahdi Hassan

Appointed December 1, 2024

Public Governor, South Tyneside

Heather Lee

Appointed December 1, 2024

Public Governor, Cumbria North

Tom McLaughlan

Appointed December 1, 2024

Staff Non-Clinical Governor

Gemma Miles

Appointed December 1, 2024

Clinical Staff Governor

Adrian Anim

Appointed December 1, 2024

Partner Governor for Newcastle University

Andrew Kingston

Appointed December 1, 2024

Service user Governor, Adult Services

Kaye Totts

Appointed May 12, 2025

Vacancy for Cumbria University

Service User Governor for Learning Disability Services

Russell Stronach

Appointed January 1, 2022

Partner Governor for Northumberland County Council

Cllr Wendy Pattison

Appointed July 1, 2021

Medical Staff Governor

Dr Thomas Lewis

Appointed January 1, 2022

Staff Governor Non-Clinical

Siobahn Watson

Appointed December 1, 2023

Carer Governor Older People’s Services

Jessica Juchau-Scott

Appointed January 1, 2023

Public Governor Gateshead

Jamie Rickelton

Appointed January 1, 2023

Public Governor Sunderland

Jodine Milne-Reader

Appointed January 1, 2023

Staff Governor Non-Clinical

Emma Silver Price

Appointed January 1, 2023

Staff Governor Clinical

Doreen Chananda

Appointed January 1, 2023

Partner Governor for Newcastle City Council

Miriam Mafemba

Appointed May 1, 2023

Partner Governor for North Tyneside Council

Jane Shaw

Appointed July 1, 2023

Partner Governor for South Tyneside Council

Ruth Berkley

Appointed July 1, 2023

Partner Governor for Community and Voluntary Sector

Julia Clifford

Appointed June 1, 2023

Governor for Adult Services

Tom Rebair – Lead Governor

Appointed March 1, 2021

Carer Governor for Learning Disability Services

Fiona Regan

Appointed January 1, 2022

Partner Governor for Gateshead Council

Vacant Position

Partner Governor for Sunderland City Council

Cllr Kelly Chequer

Appointed July 29, 2019