Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Denise Smith

Chief Operating Officer

Originally from York, Denise began her NHS career over 25 years ago in operational management within Women and Children’s services. Since then, she has held a range of roles across both primary and secondary care, working in commissioner and provider organisations. From 2009 onwards, she has taken on senior operational leadership positions at a number of Acute Trusts across the country. Most recently, Denise served as Chief Operating Officer at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn, a role she held from May 2019 until joining DBTH in January 2023.

Dr Nick Mallaband

Chief Medical Officer

Dr Mallaband joined DBTH as a Consultant in Acute Medicine in 2011, playing a key role in developing the service across both sites. He subsequently held senior roles including Divisional Director and Medical Director of Workforce. Appointed Acting Executive Medical Director in late 2023 and Chief Medical Officer in 2026, Nick has a strong interest in acute care, education, and digital transformation.

Karen Jessop

Chief Nurse

Karen joined DBTH in January 2023, having previously served as Deputy Chief Nurse at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals from October 2017 to January 2023. She began her nursing career in 1995 at Hull University Hospitals, where she spent over 20 years in a range of clinical and leadership roles across critical care and surgery. During this time, she progressed to become a Matron and later a Divisional Nurse Manager. Alongside her professional development, Karen also qualified as a Registered Midwife and completed a Master’s Degree in Health Care Leadership with the University of Birmingham.

Sam Wilde

Chief Finance Officer

Sam joined Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals in late 2024 from Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust, where he had served as Director of Finance and Business Intelligence since 2018. He brings a wealth of financial leadership experience across both the NHS and the private sector. As Chief Finance Officer, Sam is a key member of the Executive Team, responsible for financial management, governance and supporting the Trust’s strategic aims while ensuring long-term sustainability. His portfolio also includes Estates and Facilities, Information Technology and Digital Transformation, and the Project Management Office. A Chartered Management Accountant, Sam holds a Master of Business Administration and has held senior financial roles across healthcare and industry. During his time at Lincolnshire Community Health Services, he helped to maintain financial stability, deliver efficiencies and support the organisation’s outstanding CQC rating.

Zoe Lintin

Chief People Officer

A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), Zoe joined Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust as Chief People Officer in June 2022. She was formerly the Director of Human Resources and Organisational Development at Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, where she held an executive role since 2016. Passionate about creating the best possible workplace environment for colleagues, with an acute understanding of the direct impact this has on the delivery of high quality healthcare, Zoe is also Branch Chair of the Yorkshire and Humber branch of the Healthcare People Management Association (HPMA) and a member of the South Yorkshire branch of the CIPD. She is a qualified coach, accredited mediator and trained in the use of psychometric testing and 360-degree feedback. Zoe’s earlier career included working in a range of HR, OD and learning and development roles in the private and legal sectors and she began her NHS career working at Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust in 2006. She has also been a Trustee on Boards, in a voluntary capacity, from 2019 and since January 2026 has been a Trustee at the Student’s Union at the University of Sheffield.

Helen Best

Non-executive Director

Helen brings extensive experience across health, education and governance. She began her career in the NHS as a diagnostic radiographer before moving into senior leadership roles in university education, where she spent over 20 years at Sheffield Hallam University, including roles as Deputy Dean and Dean of Academic Strategy. Helen holds a Master’s in Further and Higher Education and a postgraduate award in Health and Social Care Leadership. She has significant experience in corporate governance through university boards and as a Trustee of Sheffield City Trust. At a national level, Helen works as a Lead Partner Visitor for the HCPC and an assessor for the College of Radiographers. She is well connected across South Yorkshire and is committed to supporting the Board in delivering its strategic ambitions.

Joanne Gander

Clinical Non-executive Director

Most recently, she served as Clinical and Product Assurance Director for Supply Chain Co-ordination Limited, the organisation managing NHS Supply Chain. Prior to this, Jo spent around 25 years working in the pharmaceutical and medical device sector, before returning to the NHS in 2008 as Commissioning Group Director within North East Lincolnshire Care Trust Plus. She has also held senior roles within the Digital Team at NHS England. Jo’s professional focus is on patient safety and the experience of care, with a strong commitment to ensuring both patients and health and care professionals are supported to deliver the highest standards. In her capacity as Clinical Non-Executive Director, Jo is Chair of the Quality and Effectiveness Committee and one of the Trust’s Maternity and Neonatal Safety Champions. She also contributes to a number of other Board sub-committees.

Kath Smart

Non-executive Director

A Doncaster resident, Kath brings significant experience from across the public sector, having worked in the NHS for over a decade in commissioning roles across Doncaster, Wakefield and Hull. Her career has spanned areas including risk management, governance and external inspections. A Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) qualified accountant, Kath most recently served as a Non-Executive Director at Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH), where she also chaired the Audit Committee and its associated social enterprise, Flourish Enterprises. Kath is Deputy Chair of the Board.

Lucy Nickson

Non-executive Director

Lucy began her career in nursing over 30 years ago, training in Sheffield and working at Weston Park Hospital before moving into health visiting in Chesterfield and North Derbyshire. She went on to hold a number of NHS management roles, including leading Community Nursing in Derbyshire and serving as Head of Performance at the East Midlands Strategic Health Authority. In 2011, Lucy transitioned to the charity sector, where she has since held Chief Executive roles across a range of health and community organisations, including a hospice, a home-based end of life care charity, and The Foundation at Club Doncaster. She has also led South Yorkshire-based commercial healthcare organisations. Lucy is currently Chief Executive of Day One Trauma Support, a national charity that supports people affected by major trauma and serious injury. In her role as Non-Executive Director, Lucy chairs the People Committee.

Nadeem Murtaza

Non-executive Director

A Doncaster resident, Nadeem brings more than 25 years of senior leadership experience across local government, the NHS, voluntary and community sectors, with a strong track record of leading organisational transformation, strengthening partnerships and improving services for local communities. Throughout his career, he has held executive and board-level roles at organisations including Oxford City Council, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Islington Council, Doncaster Council and within the NHS. His work has focused on community engagement, organisational transformation, equality, diversity and inclusion, customer experience, wellbeing and strategic partnerships. Nadeem joined the Trust as a Non-Executive Director in July 2026.

Stephen Radford

Non-executive Director

Stephen joined DBTH as a Non-Executive Director in October 2025. A qualified accountant, he brings over 30 years of financial and leadership experience across both the private and public sectors in the UK and internationally. He has held senior roles including Group and Divisional Finance Director, Head of Shared Services, Senior Vice President and Partner within global management consultancies. Prior to joining DBTH, Stephen served as Associate Non-Executive Director at Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust. Stephen lives locally in the Penistone area and also serves as Senior Independent Director at Barnsley Hospital.