West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust

Daniel Spooner

Executive chief nurse

Daniel is a senior nurse with more than 25 years NHS experience working within the east of England. Trained at Ipswich Hospital, followed by 15 years at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, he then joined the former Mid Essex Hospital NHS Trust, where he became deputy director of nursing. He took up the post of executive chief nurse for WSFT, having been deputy chief nurse at the Trust since June 2020, in July 2025. He has spent most of his clinical career in emergency nursing and his practice is anchored in building a strong clinical workforce so that patients experience high standards of care. He nurtures the talent of nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals pre and post registration, with the intention of creating positive workplace cultures and encouraging creative and psychologically safe environments for staff. With additional interests in human factors and quality improvement, he is motivated to protect and support staff wellbeing and resilience.

Dr Richard Goodwin

Medical director

Our Medical Director, Richard has many years of clinical and leadership experience. A consultant radiologist with a specialist interest in musculoskeletal radiology, he held a range of roles during his 18-years tenure at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, the most recent being the Chief of Division, Clinical Support Services. He also chaired the Norfolk and Waveney ICB Diagnostics Board. After serving as the East of England regional clinical imaging lead for three years, Richard is now the lead National Specialty Advisor for Imaging with NHS England. Richard obtained a BSc in Physiology and his MBBS from the University of London. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Radiologists. Richard also has an executive MBA from Cranfield School of Management.

Jonathan Rowell

Chief finance officer

Formerly our interim chief finance officer, Jonathan was appointed permanently in October 2025. He joined the Trust on secondment from NHSE for a period of 12 months to help the Trust to recover its financial position. Jonathan has worked for the NHS for 26 years and has most recently been director of finance for specialised commissioning nationally where he has looked after a budget of £27bn across England. Spending most of his career in hospitals, Jonathan worked at Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in London for nine years, and Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) for five years, including as Interim CFO. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA).

Nicola Cottington

Chief operating officer and deputy chief executive officer

Our chief operating officer, Nicola has worked in numerous senior operational positions which have focused on both acute and community health services. Nicola has held assistant director roles at Suffolk Community Healthcare and Bromley Healthcare and associate director of operations roles at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust and Mid Essex Hospital Trust before becoming deputy chief operating officer at James Paget University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. A registered nurse, Nicola has completed a MSc in Innovation and Leadership in Health and Social Care and has received the NHS Leadership Academy Award in Executive Healthcare Leadership (Nye Bevan Program).

Sam Tappenden

Executive director of strategy and transformation

Our executive director of strategy and transformation, Sam has many years of experience in NHS transformation, having previously held the role of director of development at the East of North Hertfordshire Health and Care Partnership, and director of strategy at the Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust. Sam has also held senior roles in local government, policing, and the voluntary sector. Sam holds an MSc in Public Management from the University of Birmingham, completed the Accelerated Director’s Development Scheme in Hertfordshire, and completed the Oxford Executive Strategy Programme at Said Business School. Sam has voluntary experience as a trustee for Age UK Hertfordshire, has been a board member at Hertfordshire Independent Living Services, and a special constable for South Wales Police.

Alison Wigg

Non-executive director

Alison has a background of 30 years working in technology, specialising in global telecoms, working in the US and UK. She set up a network and ran a programme of Women in Technology events to encourage and promote gender diversity in technology. Alison is on the board and helping to set up a new charity called Suffolk Together, that supports wellbeing projects across Suffolk. Alison is also a STEM ambassador, helping to promote science and technology in schools. Alison joined the Trust with experience working as a non-executive director for the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust for 6 years, and has also chaired a regional digital committee for the ICB. Alison joined the Trust in September 2024, and is passionate about exploring how technology can make a difference to staff and patients within the NHS.

Antoinette Jackson

Non-executive director

Antoinette was previously chief executive of Cambridge City Council from 2009 to 2020, having begun her career at Reading Borough Council before joining the London Borough of Camden with a focus on quality and customer services. Antoinette joined the Trust as lead non-executive director in November 2022 and serves on numerous committees as a member for remuneration, audit, involvement and charitable funds, as well as the chair of the insight committee. Antoinette is also the chair of trustees for Arthur Rank Hospital Charity in Cambridge, and Cambridge and District Citizens Advice.

Heather Hancock

Non-executive director

Heather has over 25 years of experience in the healthcare industry, beginning her career as a scientist and progressing to operational delivery in hospitals and leading businesses in software and analytics. Heather is currently the CEO of DigitalFutureway Ltd and the Chief Strategist and Change Maker at The Conclusion People Ltd, where she advises biotech companies on global expansion. Heather joined the Trust in September 2024, with extensive experience in leading transformative projects and promoting inclusive culture initiatives at the executive level.

Michael Parsons

Non-executive director

Michael is a Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy qualified accountant, where he developed his career at Cambridge City Council and Hertfordshire County Councils. Michael then held the position of director general for capabilities and resources (chief operating officer) for the Home Office, then moving to the Cabinet Office as director general for government property and chief operating officer in 2017. Michael left the Cabinet Office in 2021 and is currently the bursar of Christ’s College Cambridge, where he is also a non-executive director of Cambridge’s Property Board. Michael has recently been appointed as non-executive director of the Parliamentary and Health Services Ombudsman. Michael joined the Trust as a non-executive director in May 2023, and sits on the Board as chair of the audit and charitable funds committees, as well as member of the insight committee, future system programme board and clinical excellence and discretionary awards committee.

Richard Flatman

Non-executive director

Richard is a Chartered Director, a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and has extensive business and commercial expertise. Richard was, until recently, the Group Chief Financial Officer at London South Bank University Group and for many years combined this with a wide range of non-executive roles. Before joining London South Bank, Richard specialised in audit and risk consulting services with Deloitte. Richard joined the Trust in September 2024, and his other non-executive responsibilities include being a Board member, Senior Independent Director and Chair of Audit & Risk Committee at South West London & St George’s Mental Health Trust.