Sheila chaired Mid Essex Hospitals NHS Trust from 2010 to 2017 and was also the Founding Chair of the Joint Working Board (2016 to 2017), forged through the collaboration of Mid Essex Hospitals with Basildon and Thurrock University Hospital FT and Southend University Hospital University FT within the Mid and South Essex Strategic Transformation Partnership (STP).
Sheila was previously Chair of the North East Essex Primary Care Trust (2006-2010) and prior to that, chaired the Essex Ambulance Service, before being appointed to the Board of the East of England Ambulance Regional Service.
Coming with a strong clinical background, she has built significant and diverse senior leadership experience in health and social care and in the University sector. She was the Executive Dean of Health at Anglia Ruskin University, where she led the establishment of a Regional Faculty of Health and Social Care, and has represented the Nursing and Midwifery Council on numerous quality and standards visits to British Universities and their partner NHS Trusts.
Sheila has served as a quality partner with the Postgraduate Medical Education & Training Board (PMETB) and the General Medical Council (GMC). She holds a government appointment as an Equality and Diversity Ambassador, and has worked internationally as a developmental consultant and strategic advisor. She is an experienced executive coach and leadership mentor and actively supports the East of England Coaching Network operated through Health Education England.
She is the Emeritus Professor of Health Services Development at Anglia Ruskin University, currently advising on the establishment of the new Medical School, and has considerable previous experience both as an appointed foundation trust governor and as a non-executive director.