The Group is governed by our Board, which has overall responsibility for delivering services and is accountable for operational performance as well as our strategic direction.
Our sites are governed via a Hospital Management Board, which includes an Executive Managing Director, Medical Director, Director of Nursing, Director of Operations, Director of Finance and Director of People (HR) and leads from a range of support functions.
This gives each of our sites greater autonomy and the ability to have increased oversight of their opportunities, risks and issues.
Day to day management of the hospital sites is undertaken by the directors outlined below, working as Hospital Leadership Teams. This will include aspects relating to workforce, finances and quality and safety.
Our Executive Team will continue to have oversight and make decisions that impact the organisation at a Group level, while Hospital Leadership Teams have devolved control of aspects that impact the effective running of our hospitals.
Aintree University Hospital Leadership Team
Executive Managing Director for Aintree University Hospital: Peter Turkington
Peter Turkington joined LUHFT in May 2023 as Executive Managing Director for Aintree Hospital. Before joining LUHFT, Peter worked at Salford Care Organisation, firstly as Medical Director between 2013-2019 and then as Chief Officer and Medical Director.
He was also chair of the division of Salford healthcare between 2010 and 2013, where he led on the development of the Emergency Village.
Peter’s experience in overseeing several of these initiatives are of great value to the ever-developing Aintree site where he manages all elements of care, as well as leading and managing the Aintree Hospital against our agreed strategy and objectives.
Medical Director: Rebecca Hanlon
Rebecca was born in Manchester and studied Medicine at Leeds Medical School between 1988 and 1993. She completed her medical training around Yorkshire and Manchester, moving to Liverpool in 1996 to begin five years of Radiology training. Rebecca completed the FRCR in 1999 and was appointed as a Radiology Consultant to Aintree in 2001.
Rebecca developed a lead role in Head and Neck Radiology at Aintree. Between 2002 and 2022 she held various management positions eg Radiology Clinical Tutor, Appraiser, Regional TPD for Radiology, Radiology CD, Deputy DMD and then finally DMD for the Division of Support Services.
In January 2022, she was appointed as the Medical Director for the Aintree site.
"I am extremely proud to work with so many excellent colleagues at LUHFT. I am dedicated to improving clinical services and making the most effective use of resources for the patients and staff at LUHFT."
Director of Nursing (secondment): Nicola Martin
Nicola has over 20 years' experience working in the NHS after qualifying as a nurse in 2002.
She has held a variety of senior nurse positions in the north west and joined The Walton Centre as Deputy Chief Nurse in September 2021 from Wirral University Teaching Hospital. She was appointed Chief Nurse at The Walton Centre in November 2023.
She is dedicated to ensuring the highest standards of nursing care and patient experience.
Director of Operations: Neil Holland
Neil Holland joined Aintree University Hospital in July 2018, as Divisional Director of Operations and was subsequently appointed to the role of Deputy Chief Operating Officer for Liverpool University Hospitals in January 2020.
In this role he had oversight of clinical service divisions across the four Trust sites, then moving in 2023 to the role of Director of Operations for Aintree in the new Hospital Services Model.
Neil qualified as a Diagnostic Radiographer at Manchester Foundation Trust in 2001, he has subsequently worked across a number of NHS and Private Healthcare Providers over his 20 year career and came to LUHFT from Warrington & Halton NHS FT where he held the role of Divisional Director (Acute Care) from 2015-2018.
Neil retains his registration as an Allied Health Professional (AHP), and also holds a master's degree in healthcare leadership attained via the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Programme.
He has extensive experience working across the local health and care systems from his current and previous roles which he has studied both locally and internationally in Catalonia.
Neil has acted as lead director on a number of high profile system transformations during his time at LUHFT, including the development of the new Hyper Acute Stroke Pathway across North Mersey completed in 2023.
Director of Finance: Shahida Mohammed
Shahida is a distinguished finance professional with over 25 years of experience in senior roles, she commenced her career as an auditor and since then has worked in several organisations. Most recently at Wirral University Teaching Hospital as Deputy Director of Finance, Shahida has excelled in navigating financially challenged environments, developing innovative financial strategies, and driving significant operational improvements.
Shahida’s expertise spans a wide range of critical areas, including financial management, long-term financial modelling and strategic contract negotiation. Her remarkable performance record highlights her ability to lead and manage effectively, fostering staff development and driving organisational progress.
As an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) Champion and Sponsor on The NHS Finance Sponsorship Programme, Shahida is dedicated to supporting underrepresented groups within the NHS, advocating for a more inclusive and equitable workplace.
A Fellow of The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA), Shahida combines practical expertise with academic rigour, making her a vital asset in the financial landscape of LUHFT.
Director of People: Jenny Grant
Jenny joined LUHFT in November 2023 as Director of People and brings with her over 20 years’ experience of working in the NHS.
Her career started in the Healthcare Commission in 2002 and since then she has held a variety of senior Human Resources and Organisational Development roles working in a range of NHS organisation including acute, specialist and community services. Most recently Jenny worked at Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust where she was the Deputy Director of People.
Jenny has significant experience of successful workforce development and organisational change and is passionate and committed to supporting the Trust to be a great place to work.
Jenny holds a Degree in Business and Human Resources and a Masters in Personnel and Development. In 2023 Jenny completed the NHS Nye Bevan Executive Leadership Programme.
Liverpool Heart and Chest, Broadgreen and DTC Hospital Leadership Team
Executive Managing Director for Liverpool Heart and Chest, Broadgreen and DTC: Jonathan Mathews
Jonathan is a senior NHS leader, with significant board level experience having worked at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital as Chief Operating Officer for three years and as Deputy Chief Executive since March 2024.
Prior to this, Jonathan had been Deputy Chief Operating Officer and Divisional Head of Operations for Medicine at LHCH.
Medical Director: Mr Manoj Kuduvalli
Mr Manoj Kuduvalli is a consultant cardiac and aortic surgeon at LHCH and a member of the Hospital Leadership Team.
He joined LHCH more than 20 years ago as a specialist registrar in cardiothoracic surgery, before being appointed Consultant Cardiac Surgeon in 2007.
In 2017, he became Associate Medical Director for Surgery, and was then appointed Medical Director at LHCH in December 2023.
Director of Nursing: Jenny Taylor
Jenny qualified as a Nurse in 1999 and worked for Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust for more than 20 years.
Jenny has worked in different clinical and leadership roles, as a staff nurse, ward sister and nurse practitioner, lead nurse, Head of Patient Experience and Quality, Divisional Director of Nursing and most recently as Director of Nursing at Broadgreen Hospital and Aintree University Hospital.
She is currently expanding her knowledge and moving into the second year of a master’s in business studies.
Director of Operations: Dan Grimes
To his new Director of Operations role, Dan brings 20 years’ experience from senior operational management, improvement and transformation roles across Cheshire and Merseyside and Greater Manchester, including as Director of Operations in two separate trusts, and from supporting Urgent and Emergency Care improvements across Cheshire and Merseyside ICB.
Director of Finance: James Bradley
James joined Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital in November 2020 as Deputy Chief Finance Officer. Prior to that, he held finance roles in various NHS organisations including Manchester University Foundation Trust, Sefton Clinical Commissioning Groups, University Hospitals of North Staffordshire and Coventry Primary Care Trust.
James trained as an accountant with KPMG in the Midlands and is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
Director of People: Rachael McDonald
Rachael is a Chartered Member of the CIPD with 20 years’ HR experience in the NHS, with a proven record of driving organisational change at both executive and operational levels.
Rachael joined LHCH in 2013 as a HR and OD business partner, after previous experience at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Trust. She became a Senior HR Business Partner in 2020 and was then appointed Head of OD & Inclusion in 2022. She became Deputy Chief People Officer in 2023.
Royal Liverpool and Liverpool Women's University Hospital Leadership Team
Executive Managing Director for Royal Liverpool and Liverpool Women's University Hospital: Leanne Cooper
Bio coming soon.
Medical Director: Oliver Zuzan
Before Oliver became a doctor he worked as a paramedic for eight years.
He graduated from medical school in 1994 and completed his postgraduate training in anaesthesia and critical care at Hannover Medical School University Hospital in Germany.
Oliver joined the Trust as a consultant in anaesthesia and critical care in 2001.
Having acted as audit lead, transfusion lead and lead for postoperative critical care within the department, he was appointed as Clinical Director for Anaesthesia and Theatres in 2015, and then Care Group Clinical Director for Anaesthesia and Theatres and Critical Care from 2016-2019.
Following the merger of Aintree University Hospital and the Royal Liverpool University and Broadgreen Hospitals, Oliver was appointed as the Divisional Medical Director for ACHT (Anaesthesia, Critical Care, Head and Neck and Theatres) including Ophthalmology, Liverpool University Dental Hospital and Dermatology.
In January 2022, he was appointed as the Medical Director for the Royal site.
“I came to LUHFT for international experience, as the anaesthetic department had a national and international reputation.
"I intended to stay for two years but decided to stay because of the excellent culture in my department and the wider hospital.
"I found people to be supportive and kind, creating a civil and safe environment.
"I was also impressed by the professionalism and humility of clinical colleagues, including doctors, nurses and AHPs, and their constant drive to learn and improve.”
Director of Nursing: Lindsey Vlasman
Lindsey joined LUHFT in August 2024 and brings over 27 years’ experience in nursing and operational roles across Cheshire and Merseyside.
Lindsey qualified as a nurse in 1997 and started her nursing career in LUHFT. Since then, Lindsey has held roles as General Manager, Divisional Director of Nursing, Deputy Chief Nurse, Interim Chief Nurse and most recently Chief Operating Officer at The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust.
She holds a BSc Hons in Health and Social Care Practice, MSc in Advanced Practice and is a graduate of the NHS Leadership Academy’s Elizabeth Garrett Anderson programme.
Lindsey is passionate about making a difference to patient and family centred care and ensuring patients have the best possible experience.
Director of Operations: Joanne Eccles
Joanne began her career in the NHS training as a Registered General Nurse at Manchester Royal Infirmary in 1990. Post registration Joanne specialised for 10 years in A&E nursing and gained a Masters Degree in Medical Law and Ethics. As she progressed in her nursing career as a Divisional Nurse, Joanne expanded her portfolio to include acute medicine, ophthalmology and dental services.
Joanne’s role evolved into operational leadership, and she gained extensive experience across surgical specialities, major trauma and theatres at CMFT in Manchester.
In 2016, she was privileged to hold a nationally high-profile role leading the introduction of the new Nurse Associate role across 12 Acute NHS Trusts in Greater Manchester.
Joanne has eight years leadership experience as a Divisional Director of Operations in two of the largest Acute NHS Trusts in the country, and specialist dental and ophthalmology hospitals.
Most recently, in September 2023, she was delighted to be appointed as Interim Director of Operations for the Royal site. This has given Joanne an opportunity to apply her wide experience of acute services to operationally lead the hospital with the ambition to provide our patients and staff with the very best experience of the NHS.
“Having spent most of my career in Manchester, it became incredibly important to me to influence the future of healthcare and career opportunities for my local community.
“I feel very privileged to be trusted with a senior leadership role and I am proud to be part of our evolving organisation and value the opportunity to work alongside such incredible people each day.”
Director of Finance: Jim Davies
Jim Davies was appointed Director of Finance of the Royal Liverpool Hospital in July 2022.
Jim has worked in NHS finance for almost 30 years, and has spent the last six years working as Deputy Director of Finance at Liverpool University Hospitals.
Jim qualified as an accountant back in 1997 with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, and since then has worked across a number of Trusts, including Whittington Health NHS Trust, Wirral University Hospitals NHS FT and Liverpool Heart and Chest NHS FT.
As Director of Finance, Jim will work closely as part of the Hospital Leadership Team, together with clinical and operational colleagues in supporting the delivery of our ongoing improvement plan.
Director of People: Rachel London
Rachel joined Liverpool Women’s in 2014 and has held a number of HR positions in the organisation, most recently the post of Deputy Director of People. Prior to that she held roles in both HR and communications in the public and private sectors.
Rachel has chaired the Cheshire and Mersey Deputy Directors Network for 2 last 2 years and is committed to driving improvement through innovative people practices, including the establishment of an Anti- Racism Hub at LWH.
Rachel is a qualified coach, holds a degree in Government and European Studies, a Masters in Marketing Communications, a Post Graduate Diploma in Human Resources Management and postgraduate certificates in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Workforce planning.
