Royal Derby HospitalDE22 3NEGeneral acute hospital
Florence Nightingale Community HospitalDE1 2QYCommunity hospital (with inpatient beds)
Samuel Johnson Community HospitalWS13 6EFCommunity hospital (with inpatient beds)
Sir Robert Peel Community HospitalB78 3NGCommunity hospital (with inpatient beds)
Derby Mobility CentreDE22 3LYNon inpatient
The Johnson BuildingDE24 8PUNon inpatient
18 people recorded
Chair
Prem Singh
Chair
Prem joined the NHS in 1975 as a student nurse as part of an international recruitment campaign. With a general and psychiatric nursing background, his senior management and leadership career has covered all sectors of the NHS and social care, for over 35 years. He has previously been a Chief Executive and an Executive Director of Nursing and Quality and has extensive experience as a Chair in community, acute and ICB roles for nearly a decade.
Prem retired from his last NHS roles as Chair of Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Trust (DCHS) and Chair of Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board in 2022, before deciding to rejoin the NHS as Chair of UHDB in May 2024. Having had family experiences of the services of the Trust, the opportunity to serve his local hospital Trust and community was a massive pull.
He strongly believes in 'service to others', social justice and inclusion, and is passionate about improving healthcare services as well as improving health and addressing inequalities.
In addition to his substantive roles, Prem has previously also held several national leadership positions including as CEO lead for inclusive leadership and as Senior Independent Trustee of the NHS Confederation. He is proud to have been part of the NHS journey spanning the past six decades - from nurse to CEO and Chairman.
Stephen joined University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHSFT in September 2022. He was previously the CEO of Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in Cambridge.
During his time at Royal Papworth, Stephen successfully delivered the move to a new state-of-the- art hospital and under his leadership Royal Papworth became the first NHS hospital trust in the country to receive an 'Outstanding' rating across all Care Quality Commission (CQC) domains.
Stephen has a strong track record of delivering both quality and performance and building professional links with industry, research and academic partners.
As CEO, Stephen is committed to working with colleagues across the Trust and the Derbyshire and Staffordshire communities to support the delivery of our strategy to provide exceptional care together and the best outcomes for patients.
In addition to his Chief Executive role, Stephen: is a Partner Member of the NHS Derbyshire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Cluster Integrated Care Board, Chair of Joined Up Care Derbyshire's Provider Collaborative Executive Leadership Group; Deputy Chair of the East Midlands Acute Providers (EMAP) Network; and Chair of the East Midlands Clinical Research Network Partnership Board.
Stephen is an alumni of Harvard Business School.
Amanda has worked in the NHS since 2007 and joined UHDB in March 2020. Prior to joining UHDB, Amanda worked across Derbyshire for Derbyshire Community Health Services Foundation Trust (DCHS), Derbyshire Healthcare Foundation Trust (DHCFT) and Chesterfield Royal Foundation Trust. Prior to joining the NHS, Amanda worked globally for Caterpillar – Perkins Engines Co Limited, and British Sugar PLC. Amanda is joint Chair for the Midlands HR Director Network and Vice President of the East Midlands Healthcare People Management Association (HPMA).
Andy Carruthers
Executive Chief Digital Information Officer
Andy joined UHDB in 2026, bringing over 20 years of NHS digital leadership experience, most recently working across the University Hospitals of Leicester and Northamptonshire (UHL-UHN) Group.
He has extensive experience leading large‑scale digital, data and technology services and change programmes, both as Group Chief Technology and Innovation Officer and previously as an executive Chief Information Officer. Andy has led several major electronic patient record system implementation programmes, including the largest-ever deployment of Nervecentre's clinical systems at Northampton General Hospital and the first of type EPR deployments at University Hospitals of Leicester.
Andy is a strong advocate for digital advancements being a team effort and focused on usability for colleagues, working with both clinical and non‑clinical teams to make sure digital and data tools are practical, easy to use and genuinely improve patient care.
Claire Finn
Executive Chief Financial Officer
Claire joined University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust as Chief Financial Officer in March 2026, with more than 20 years' experience in NHS finance.
She previously worked at the Trust as Director of Operational Finance and Acting Chief Finance Officer, and since late 2024, has held Interim Chief Finance Officer roles at NHS Derby and Derbyshire ICB and Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent ICB, where she led major efficiency programmes focused on service redesign, value and patient care.
Claire's experience spans acute, commissioning and system-level roles. She began her career as a graduate finance trainee in 2003, qualifying as an accountant and progressing into senior and Board-level positions, including Director of Finance at a local ambulance service trust.
Dr Gis Robinson
Executive Chief Medical Officer
Dr Robinson is a Paediatric Emergency Consultant by background who joined the Trust in 2009, just as the new Paediatric Emergency Department opened.
Gis holds a wealth of clinical knowledge and experience both in and outside the organisation, and joined the Board as Chief Medical Officer in April 2024, following a period as Interim Executive Medical Director since September 2023.
Gis also is Senior Responsible Owner for Joined Up Care Derbyshire's Musculoskeletal Group and the East Midlands Acute Providers Network Oncology Group.
Garry Marsh
Executive Chief Nurse and Deputy Chief Executive
Garry joined UHDB as Executive Chief Nurse in 2022 after an extensive nursing and operational career across the Midlands, joining UHDB from The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Birmingham where he had been Chief Nurse for seven years.
Alongside his Trust role Garry is the Chief Nurse Senior Responsible Officer for infection prevention and control across the Derbyshire system, and also works with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as an Executive Reviewer on Well Led inspections.
Paran Govender
Executive Chief Operating Officer
Paran joined the Trust in November 2025, bringing vast clinical and operational knowledge, with nearly 30 years in the NHS.
Most recently as Chief Operating Officer at Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust, she is an experienced senior operational and clinical leader, after starting her career as an Occupational Therapist.
Paran's previous roles, most significantly in Southeast London, at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and King's College NHS Foundation Trust include Chief of Therapies, Rehabilitation and Integrated Clinical Services, before moving into Director of Operations and Partnerships positions.
Rebecca O'Connor
Executive Director of Corporate Development
Rebecca joined the Trust in October 2023, having been the Director of Corporate Governance at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust since 2021. Rebecca has held a number of senior roles in the NHS and local government across her career. Rebecca steered a multimillion-pound contract for Worcester Royal Urgent and Emergency Care Centre through to completion and has led the development of the governance arrangements across Worcestershire place as part of the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Integrated Care System. Prior to joining the acute sector, Rebecca led the governance behind the merger of the Birmingham and Solihull Clinical Commissioning Groups and was Operational Lead for the BSol System Operations Centre during the pandemic.
Catherine is an experienced NHS board-level leader with over two decades of clinical and executive experience. A Respiratory Medicine Consultant by background, she held substantive roles as Chief Medical Officer and Managing Director at George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust, where she led a significant period of transformation — driving CQC improvement, financial turnaround and significant improvements in staff engagement.
An effective system leader, she served as Chair of Warwickshire North Place, championing tackling health inequalities and improving population health. Coventry University awarded her an Honorary Doctor of Science for her contributions to the NHS in 2022.
Having grown up in Derby, she is passionate about ensuring the highest quality of care for everyone across Southern Derbyshire and South-East Staffordshire.
JR
Josie Rudman
MBE, Non-Executive Director
Josie spent 14 years as Chief Nurse at Royal Papworth Hospital, where she played a pivotal role in delivering the organisation's new, purpose‑built hospital and securing an Outstanding CQC rating across all five domains—a first for any UK acute hospital trust. She provided critical leadership through the COVID‑19 pandemic, designing and implementing the hospital's intensive care surge response and ensuring continuity of safe, high‑quality care during unprecedented operational pressure.
Josie has since progressed to strategic national roles within NHS England, including positions in the New Hospital Programme as the Transformation Director and Chief Nurse with responsibility to shape future clinical design and operational standards, and, most recently, as Director of Nursing for Professional and System Leadership, where she contributes to shaping the future of nursing, midwifery, and the wider clinical workforce across England.
Josie Is a member of the Commonwealth Leadership Institute and the NHS Exceptional Leaders Network.
Holding a BSc in oncology nursing, an MSc in advanced nursing practice, and qualifications in education and executive coaching, Josie is widely respected for her commitment to professional development and compassionate, values‑driven leadership.
Josie Rudman MBE
Non-Executive Director
Josie spent 14 years as Chief Nurse at Royal Papworth Hospital, where she played a pivotal role in delivering the organisation's new, purpose‑built hospital and securing an Outstanding CQC rating across all five domains—a first for any UK acute hospital trust. She provided critical leadership through the COVID‑19 pandemic, designing and implementing the hospital's intensive care surge response and ensuring continuity of safe, high‑quality care during unprecedented operational pressure.
Josie has since progressed to strategic national roles within NHS England, including positions in the New Hospital Programme as the Transformation Director and Chief Nurse with responsibility to shape future clinical design and operational standards, and, most recently, as Director of Nursing for Professional and System Leadership, where she contributes to shaping the future of nursing, midwifery, and the wider clinical workforce across England.
Josie Is a member of the Commonwealth Leadership Institute and the NHS Exceptional Leaders Network.
Holding a BSc in oncology nursing, an MSc in advanced nursing practice, and qualifications in education and executive coaching, Josie is widely respected for her commitment to professional development and compassionate, values‑driven leadership.
Nicky Clarke
Non-Executive Director
Nicky has over 38 years of HR and people experience in large organisations, 11 of those years within the NHS. Nicky is currently Chief of People for the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, which is a post she has held since 2019, and has previously worked as Director of HR at Nottingham University Hospitals and Director of Workforce and Organisational Development at Chesterfield Royal Hospital.
She also has extensive experience in the private sector, spending a large part of her career in HR at Boots UK, where she worked for 20 years in a variety of roles.
Nicky has a generalist HR background and has worked on several change programmes, working closely with executive teams to support them on the overall shape and design of the organisation, the organisational culture and employee engagement.
Peter Axon
Non-Executive Director
Peter started his career as a national finance trainee in the NHS. After qualifying as an accountant, he held various roles in public and private sector finance functions across the country. He became Chief Finance Officer of Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust in 2009 supporting them to achieve Foundation Trust status and construct Birmingham's new dental hospital whilst in role.
In 2019 he became Chief Executive (CEO) of a leading Mental Health trust having previously held interim CEO roles in community and mental health trusts. Peter then became Chief Executive of the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board in 2021, before retiring from full-time work in July 2025.
Peter also holds a Non-Executive role at a Midlands based Mental Health Foundation Trust where he is the Non-Executive lead for Strategy and Partnerships.
Professor Chris Harrison
Senior Independent Director
Chris brings over 35 years of board-level experience across the NHS and wider public sector, including senior executive roles in trusts and commissioning organisations and at regional and national level. He now has a portfolio of non-executive positions currently also including vice chair at The Northern Care Alliance NHSFT where he chairs the quality committee. He is a senior adviser to the board of The Christie, a specialist cancer centre, and a Trustee of the Orwell Society, a charity and international literary society.
Chris has extensive leadership experience in NHS governance and system working in some of England's most complex organisations and health systems. He is a registered doctor, a fellow of the Faculty of Public Health, Royal Society of Medicine, Royal Society of Public Health, and Royal Society of Arts.
In addition to his NHS governance roles Chris is an accredited executive coach and an accredited independent funeral celebrant. He is also an Honorary Professor at The University of Manchester.
Professor Jaspal Taggar
Non-Executive Director
As Head of Undergraduate GP Education at Nottingham University, Prof. Taggar is passionate about the training of the future medical workforce and innovation of medical education.
He has a portfolio of clinical and medical education research whilst supporting research delivery across the East Midlands in his capacity as Co-Lead for the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Network.
Born and brought up locally in Derby, Prof. Taggar wants to use his expertise to support and develop high-quality patient care and services, enabling the health and wealth of the local community to thrive.
Simon Pearce
Non-Executive Director
Simon was born in Staffordshire and is an engineering graduate. He qualified as a chartered accountant and spent most of his career working in London and the south-east, initially in auditing and then in mergers, acquisitions and flotations. He then spent over 20 years working in a commercial environment, for a Financial Times Stock Exchange (FTSE) 100, FTSE 250 and private companies, predominantly in company secretary or senior financial management roles. He experienced the financial crash of 2008 as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of an investment bank before joining the Financial Conduct Authority (then Financial Services Authority) in 2012 as the organisation's first Company Secretary and, later, Director of Corporate Governance.
He retired in 2022 and returned home to East Staffordshire and was appointed as Non-Executive Director and Chair of Audit and Risk Committee at Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, a large mental health and community care trust covering Staffordshire and Shropshire and providing specialist services, including forensic services, further afield.
Simon's motivation for joining UHDB was that Queen's Hospital Burton is his local hospital – a hospital that has served his family well for many years.
Steve Hackett
Non-Executive Director
Steve has worked in the NHS for 35 years, working predominantly in the South Yorkshire and surrounding areas.
Steve has worked as a Director of Finance in the NHS for more than 20 years and has worked in community, mental health and acute organisations at board level. He also has experience of commissioning healthcare services and has worked for NHS England as Director of Finance in the South Yorkshire regional team.
Steve is proud to be part of the NHS and believes it's a privilege to work in this great institution, striving to deliver the best quality care for the population we serve.
Photographs are shown from the organisation’s own website.
Audit Committee
Audit
Charitable Funds Committee
Charitable funds
Finance, Investment and Performance Committee
Finance
Nomination and Remuneration Committee
Remuneration
People and Culture Committee
People and workforce
Quality Assurance Committee
Quality
The board met on 15 September 2026. Its papers have not been published yet, so the most recent papers we hold are from 8 September 2026.
15 September 2026 · Forthcoming board meetingPapers not yet published
10 September 2026 · Forthcoming board meetingPapers not yet published
