Other Reportable SitesHG2 7SXOther Reportable Site
16 people recorded
Chair
Sarah Armstrong
Chair
Sarah Armstrong is an experienced leader in the charity sector, having also been a senior manager for a national charity leading in volunteering policy and practice and a regional lead for a charity raising aspirations for young people with a disability. In a previous role, she was Chief Executive of York CVS, an ambitious social action organisation.
Sarah is passionate about the value of volunteering and the unique contribution volunteers can make, especially within a healthcare setting.
Sarah was appointed to the Trust’s Board of Directors in October 2018 and became Chair of HDFT in April 2022.
To contact Sarah, please email [email protected]
Jonathan is a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) having qualified as an accountant in 1993. Since qualifying, he has taken on a number of roles in the NHS, working in various hospital trusts and commissioning organisations across Yorkshire, including being the Director of Finance for North Bradford PCT. During this time, Jonathan also obtained a postgraduate qualification in Health and Social Care Management.
Jonathan was appointed as Finance Director at the Trust in March 2006. Since arriving at Harrogate, Jonathan has contributed significantly to the success of the organisation, both within his role as Finance Director, and Deputy Chief Executive.
Jonathan took on the role of Chief Executive at the end of February 2022 on an interim basis, and was appointed permanently in May 2023.
To contact Jonathan, please email [email protected]
Director of Nursing, Midwifery, and Allied Health Professionals (AHPs)
An experienced nurse and clinical leader Breeda completed her RN training in Essex. A Coronary Care nurse by background she has however worked in a variety of specialities in her nursing career, including medical, elderly, surgical and Emergency Medicine. She has worked in several Trusts in England and also has international healthcare experience working for two years in California in a senior nurse management position.
Breeda joined Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust from Leeds Teaching Hospitals where she was Deputy Chief Nurse for over two years, working as a Director of Nursing prior to this alongside other senior management roles at Leeds.
She holds a BSc in Specialist Nursing Practice, a Post Graduate Diploma in Management and a Masters Degree. She is also holds the Nye Bevan Award in Executive Healthcare Management. She is currently undertaking the national CNO Safer Staffing Fellowship.
Breeda is passionate about nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals, the impact these professions have on the outcomes for patients and the development of people to deliver outstanding services.
Jordan McKie
Director of Finance
Jordan was appointed as Director of Finance in July 2023. He brings a breadth of experience from across both finance and operational roles within the Trust.
He began his NHS career in 2006 as part of the Graduate Management Training Scheme, gaining valuable experience across a range of financial and operational positions in York and Leeds, before joining Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust. Over the course of his career, Jordan has developed a strong track record in financial leadership, operational delivery, and service improvement, supporting the organisation in achieving its strategic and financial objectives.
Jordan qualified as an accountant in 2009 and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA). His combined financial expertise and operational insight provide a well-rounded perspective in his role as Director of Finance, contributing to the Trust’s ongoing development and sustainability.
Julia Nixon
Chief Operating Officer
Julia began her career as a staff nurse at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust in 2002. She spent the early part of her career in acute medicine, coronary care and critical care, before progressing into advanced practice, transformation and operational leadership roles across several NHS trusts in Yorkshire.
Julia rejoined HDFT from Yorkshire Ambulance Service, where she was Associate Chief Operating Officer and spent two years leading a trust-wide strategic transformation programme.
She holds a BSc in Nursing Practice and an MSc in Advanced Practice.
Julia is passionate about improving patient outcomes through collaborative leadership, innovation and continuous improvement. She enjoys working closely with clinical and operational teams to deliver sustainable change, strengthen organisational performance and support high-quality patient care.
Matt Graham
Director of Strategy
Matt joined the Trust in September 2021 after four years as Director of the West Yorkshire Association of Acute Trusts (WYAAT), nationally recognised as one of the leading provider collaboratives.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, alongside his WYAAT role, Matt was Chief of Staff for the Nightingale Hospital in Harrogate and led the West Yorkshire vaccination programme. Prior to joining the NHS in 2010, Matt served as an army officer in the Royal Signals for 17 years, including on operations in Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Afghanistan.
Matt enjoys supporting teams to solve problems and to seek improvement and innovation. He is passionate about building a culture of continuous improvement throughout the organisation.
Professor Jacqueline Andrews
Medical Director, Deputy Chief Executive and Executive Lead for Digital
Andrew retired in late 2025 after more than thirty six years in the NHS and forty years in the pharmacy profession, working across community, hospital and academic settings. He trained in Nottingham and has worked throughout the North West, Yorkshire and the Humber, and remains a registered pharmacist with the General Pharmaceutical Council.
He served as Chief Pharmacist at Leeds Teaching Hospitals from 2020 to 2025, and at Harrogate & District NHS Foundation Trust (HDFT) from 2005 to 2020. Alongside his Chief Pharmacist roles, Andrew spent 20 years as a Clinical Director, leading a broad range of acute and community services in Leeds and Harrogate.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, he played a key role in establishing the Leeds Vaccination Programme, Nightingale Hospitals and Covid Treatment Centres. He has also contributed extensively at regional and national level, chairing committees and leading programmes with the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England, particularly in medicines supply and procurement. Andrew has strong interests in healthcare policy, patient safety, quality improvement and leadership, and has regularly coached and mentored healthcare professionals.
He began his first Non‑Executive Director role at HDFT in April 2026 and is a member of the Quality, People and Culture and Charitable Funds Committees.
Outside work, Andrew is a keen sportsman, playing and coaching league cricket and serving as Vice Chair of North Leeds Cricket Club. He enjoys road cycling and spending time with his wife and two sports‑mad sons.
Andrew Papworth
Non Executive Director
Andy Papworth is an accomplished leader with over 20 years’ experience in financial services, including eight years at executive level, working in regulated environments. He has a deep background in financial management, business leadership and transformation.
He is a current member of the Chartered Management Institute, Global Chartered Management Accountants, and previous member of the Council of Strategic Workforce Planning and Human Capital Analytics.
He is Director of Cost and Productivity at Lloyds Banking Group and is known for being an innovative executive and brings thought-leadership on a range of subjects to the Trust.
Andy is the Chair of the People and Culture Committee and was appointed as Vice Chair in February 2023.
Outside of work, Andrew lives in Yorkshire and is married with two children. He is also a qualified football coach and runs a grassroots team in the community.
Chiara De Biase
Non-Executive Director
Chiara was previously Director of Patient Services at Anthony Nolan for nine years, establishing a new team and a whole suite of new services for patients, families and health care professionals working in blood cancer and stem cell transplant. A passionate advocate for palliative and end of life care, Chiara managed the Macmillan Information and Support Centre at King’s College Hospital and was involved in several research projects with the Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care.
As a clinician, Chiara was a specialist physiotherapist in cancer and palliative care and worked for many years on the oncology wards at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital and has first-hand experience of the challenges that people face with a cancer and long-term conditions.
Chiara lives in Guiseley with her family, coaches her son’s football team and is a passionate Leeds United fan. She is also a clinical trustee for Candlelighters; a Yorkshire based children’s cancer charity.
Chiara took on the role of Audit Committee Chair from August 2023.
Denise Chong
Associate Non-Executive Director
Denise is a seasoned executive with over 25 years of Human Resources experience in international, highly regulated organisations within the pharmaceutical, chemical, technology, and public sectors. Denise has lived overseas and has a strong appreciation of different cultures. She is passionate about the importance of employee engagement and leadership development.
Denise also works as a consultant, facilitator, and coach and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). She has previously held positions working as a trustee in both the academic and charitable sectors, is currently a trustee at the Community Learning Partnerships (CLP) and is a member at the Kaleidoscope Learning Trust (KLT) a multi-academy trust.
Most recently Denise finished an assignment as an Interim Non-Executive Director and also completed the Gatenby Sanderson Insight programme, both at HDFT.
In her spare time, Denise enjoys living in North Yorkshire and spending time with family and friends, as well as travelling and walking.
Jeremy Cross
Non-Executive Director
Jeremy Cross is a fellow of Institute of Chartered Accountants. He joined the Trust from Airedale NHS Foundation Trust where he had been a Non-executive Director for five years, and during his time there has was Chairman of the Audit Committee, a member of the Finance and Performance Committee, and the Charity Committee. Jeremy was also Chair of the 100% owned subsidiary company AGH Solutions Limited.
Prior to taking up Non-executive Director positions Jeremy held senior positions at Lloyds Banking Group, Asda and Boots the Chemist.
Outside of the NHS, Jeremy is Chairman of Tipton Building Society; Chairman of Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice, Huddersfield; Governor of Grammar School at Leeds; Director of GSAL Transport Ltd; and a Member of Kirby Overblow Parish Council.
Jeremy is the Chair of the Trust’s Resource Committee.
Julia Weldon
Non-Executive Director
Julia has been Director of Public Health at Hull City Council since moving into local government in November 2013. She has been Deputy Chief Executive since 2020.. She was one of the first Directors of Public Health to become Deputy CE in England. Julia became a Non-Executive Director for Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust in October 2022.
Julia’s background is in the NHS, starting her career in nursing in 1984. She worked in acute hospitals, primary care and later as a specialist respiratory nurse and senior NHS manager where she gained support to do the further study in public health that led her to a successful career in public health including a period as Training Programme Director in Yorkshire and Humber.
Julia takes a values driven approach to leadership and is experienced in personal and organisational development.
Julia has held several regional roles including chair of the Yorkshire and Humber Association of Directors of Public health (YHADPH) during the pandemic response, an assessor for the United Kingdom Public Health Register (UKPHR) and regional advisor and assessor for the Faculty of Public Health. Julia was elected to the UK ADPH Board in 2023. She was one of the founding members of the Centre of Excellence for Tobacco Control for HNY ICB and co-chair of the population health and prevention board.
Julia stepped back from her full-time role in Hull City Council in October 2025. She continues to contribute to regional and national public health leadership and to supporting personal and organisational change and improvement in the public sector.
Laura Robson
Non-Executive Director
Professor Colin Melville
Non-Executive Director
Wallace Sampson OBE
Non Executive Director
Wallace Sampson was Chief Executive of Harrogate Borough Council between August 2008 and March 2023. He worked in local government for over 35 years in a variety of roles, starting at Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council in the exchequer function. He also worked at Chesterfield Borough Council, Kirklees MBC, and Bradford MDC where he was Strategic Director Customer Services and Assistant Chief Executive for Regeneration and the Environment.
Wallace is passionate about public service delivery and the need to work within partnerships to join up service delivery. He has devoted his career to public service and over the years he has worked extensively with partners across public, private and the voluntary sector to ensure a strong focus on customers, residents, businesses and visitors. This was reflected in a number of external responsibilities to Harrogate Council. He chaired the Harrogate District Public Services Leadership Board and served on both of North Yorkshire Children’s Safeguarding Board and Adults Safeguarding Board. He also served as a Trustee at St Michaels Hospice as well as a Trustee on the Harrogate District Climate Coalition which was established as a not-for-profit charitable incorporated company.
Wallace was also a Director of Bracewell Homes, a wholly owned Harrogate Borough Council housing company; and a Director of Brimhams Active, a wholly owned Harrogate Borough Council leisure company. He was the lead chief executive for net zero across Yorkshire and the Humber and played a leading role in establishing the Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commission. He is an experienced peer challenge reviewer for the Local Government Association and he is a Member of Society of Local Authority Chief Executives. Wallace is the Chair of the new Innovation Committee
Wallace enjoys most sports but particularly football, cricket and golf. Relaxation is best spent either at the gym or reading adventure/action based fiction.
Photographs are shown from the organisation’s own website.
Audit Committee
Audit
Health and Safety Committee
Quality
Quality Committee
Quality
Resource Committee
Finance
Resources Committee
Finance
Board of Directors Meeting met on 30 September 2026. Its papers have not been published yet, so the most recent papers we hold are from 29 July 2026.
30 September 2026 · BoardPapers not yet published
29 July 2026 · MeetingPapers held
27 May 2026 · MeetingPapers held
25 March 2026 · MeetingPapers held
28 January 2026 · Board of Directors MeetingPapers held
