Public Governors

Liz Barrett OBE - Lead Governor

MSc, BSc, NPQEL

Liz is a lifelong resident of Ashfield and is committed to raising aspirations within the local community along with opportunities and quality of life.

She is passionate about wellbeing and feels privileged to be a governor at Sherwood Forest Hospital Trust. She currently works as the Principal for ATTFE College which delivers lifelong learning courses for learners aged 16+. Liz is committed to making a difference and looks forward to bringing a high level of energy and enthusiasm to the role of Governor.

Tracy Burton - Public Governor

RGN, RM, RHV, MA Public Health

Tracy is a qualified nurse, midwife and health visitor and currently works as a senior nurse leader within the NHS. Tracy has a public health background working across a variety of health services to improve services for all. 

Passionate about the health services we provide to our communities and the experience of care, as a public governor Tracy aims to ensure the voice and experience of all are heard to continually improve and inform the provision of services.

Neal Cooper - Public Governor

A lifelong resident of Mansfield, Neal started his working life at the age of sixteen as an apprentice electrician at Pleasley Colliery.

Having completed three years as a Governor, he is honoured to have been re-elected. He will continue with his commitment to represent his community, which is served by Sherwood Forest Hospitals.

He is passionate about raising the profile of unseen disabilities and raising the standard of care for diabetic, elderly and dementia patients.

He strongly believes that everyone deserves to be treated with kindness and respect, whatever the age or circumstances.

John Dove - Public Governor

B.A(Hons),Ed DipN, Cert:ED:FE, CertPPS, Cert:PSE, HNC

John is a lifelong resident of Ashfield. He studied at Nottingham University and Nottingham Trent University acquiring a Nursing Diploma and a degree in Special Educational Needs, specialising in Autism and Challenging Behavours.

His Cert:Ed FE qualification enabled him to lecture at West Notts College for the LDAF qualification in learning disabilities and he then went on to work for Southern Derbyshire NHS Trust, NorSACA as a tutor for Autistic adults, Trinity Care Nottingham, and Active Care Partnerships as Service Manager for a residential unit for adults.

John has previously held a governorship for Nottinghamshire NHS Trust and during the coronavirus pandemic worked as a volunteer - he currently volunteers on Ward 52 and SDEC at King's Mill Hospital. He says he is looking forward to his new role on the board and hopes to use his knowledge and lifetime experiences to be a contributory member.

Nabeel Khan - Public Governor

Elected in April 2025. Full profile coming soon.

Pam Kirby - Public Governor

Pam worked in the NHS for 45 years in a variety of nursing roles before retiring. Having always lived locally, she feels a responsibility to represent her friends, family and all those from the wider community who wish to be heard.

She has always been proud of the workforce at SFH who have continually given their best, so she had immense pride to see the Trust achieve a “Good” rating.

Pam realises that there is lots of hard work to maintain this rating and is keen to be part of the supporting network in any way she can.

Julie Kirkby - Public Governor

Elected in April 2025. Full profile coming soon.

Iain Peel - Public Governor

Iain had lived locally for almost thirty years and is a keen supporter of Sherwood Forest Hospital Trust in helping to improve the health of residents in the surrounding area. This follows superb care his family members have received from the hospital.

Iain is privileged to serve as a governor having spent many years working with health services as a senior leader in local authorities and Iain’s most recent full time role was as a Chief Executive of a project management and consultancy company. 

Iain is continually amazed by the fantastic care of the NHS and is eager to see all patients receive a high quality service with amazing care. Iain’s wife is a volunteer at Kings Mill and he is eager to promote the voice of patients in addition to his interest in children’s health and cancer care.

Jane Stubbings - Public Governor

Jane feels privileged to serve again. Her priorities will always be to get the very best care for all our patients, and to ensure that our wards and clinics are clean and well run. 

She aims to personally meet as many of our patients as possible and listen to their experiences, ensuring that any necessary improvements are made. She also wants to ensure that our patients are treated with dignity and respect at all times - she is a patient herself so will see first-hand that this is happening.

Jane has lived in Ashfield for 50 years and is married with three grown up children.

Ann Gray - Public Governor

Since November 2023, Ann has been an Independent Governor of the University of Derby. In Spring 2025, Ann was appointed as a member of Southwell Minster Cathedral Chapter.

Having lived her whole life in Nottinghamshire, Ann stood for election as a Governor for SFHFT in order to support local health services.

Until her early retirement in October 2024, Ann had worked for The Cabinet Office for 13 years; latterly as the Head of Places (encompassing Head of Estates and Programme Director the People & Locations Programme); and previously in both the Government Property Agency (GPA) where she worked as Programme Director and the Government Property Unit. Originally joining the civil service (Department for Trade and Industry) in 2000. Ann’s early career saw 17 years in the private sector at Great Universal Stores Plc; followed by the Boots Group Plc. Ann qualified as a Chartered Surveyor in 1990.

Ann runs a holiday let business with Nick, her husband, and keeps active, dog walking, gardening and cooking.

Peter Gregory - Public Governor

MBA

Peter was born and raised in Ashfield and worked in the area for many years, before retiring from running his Funeral Director business and moving to Southwell in 2011.

During his working life Peter obtained an MBA, as well as University accreditation for his role as Chairman of the Board of Examiners for the National Association of Funeral Directors.

He has been a member of a number of fellowship organisations for 40 years and served on a variety of committees raising charitable funds. Peter is looking forward to serving the SFH Trust as a Governor and acting as a conduit to the public.

Shane O'Neill - Public Governor

Shane has no professional medical background in the NHS but has recently experienced the services at Sherwood Hospitals Trust and was proud to see the amazing work that all staff are delivering. 

He is keen to not only maintain the great service but to challenge and help raise the bar even higher. He wants to hear all your thoughts and feedback, be it good or bad, so both praise and new opportunities are fed back.

Currently, Shane works full-time managing workforce scheduling within the financial industry, challenging his current business on doing the right thing for its consumers and people without it coming at a cost. He is looking forward to helping Sherwood Hospitals shape a better hospital for everyone.

Dean Wilson - Public Governor

Born at Kings Mill and educated locally, Dean is a former NHS HR Director in Nottinghamshire, South Yorkshire and the West Midlands having worked in Mental Health, Acute and Integrated Care System settings. Dean also worked as a magistrate and is recently retired. 

He served as a representative on the NHS National Staff Council and the NHS Foundation Network. Passionate about the NHS, he has presented to Parliamentary groups and at National Conferences.

Dean is a believer in continuous improvement and developing people and wants to ensure that the challenges and future changes in the NHS are better understood. He is committed to listening to the public and maintaining excellent quality services, health and well-being. 

He has 3 grown-up children and is the Senior Trustee Director for a local charity and Miners’ Welfare. He loves music, especially live concerts, rugby and football.