Our Board is ultimately responsible for the Trust’s performance. It provides the strategic direction to help ensure we deliver high quality, safe services.
The Board holds regular meetings to discuss key issues around performance, quality and governance. Anyone is welcome to attend a public board meeting.
The Board is made up of our Executive Directors (paid employees who are responsible in their executive role for managing the organisation and, as board members, for the leadership and direction of the Trust) and Non-Executive Directors (who do not have a managerial role but are responsible for challenging the Executive Directors in decision-making and on the Trust’s strategy). Collectively they are responsible for our overall performance and our plans for the future.
We also have a Council of Governors (staff, public and appointed), who represent the views of Foundation Trust Members. Governors help the Trust make decisions about our services and hold our Non-Executive Directors to account.
You can view our Executive and Non-Executive Directors below.
Lynne Hunt, Chair
Lynne has a track record of over 40 years public service, working in the NHS within mental health and learning disabilities services.
She began her career as a nurse in Dorset, before moving to London and has held a number of clinical and Board level roles. Most recently she was Non-Executive Director and Vice Chair of Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust.
Lynne is Co-Chair of Unloc, a leading not for profit organisation in Hampshire that helps to empower young people. She is also the Mental Health Trust Chair lead on the Mental Health Board for NHS Confederation.
Lynne has NHS transaction experience (as Director of Nursing) from the merger of two community and mental health trusts in west London and the merger of a high secure hospital with an NHS trust. Lynne also led and supported the transfer of an entire mental health services contract between providers as an independent consultant.
Michael Bernard
Michael’s career has been in IT, with spells in Sales and Marketing leadership, culminating in a role as an International Marketing Director. His particular areas or expertise are around strategy, communications, IT and sustainability. He is on the Board of the Royal Humane Society and sits on the Advisory Board for Exeter University Business School. He has previously chaired the board of governors for a secondary school. He support Arctice Base Camp as an Executive Volunteer. Michael is the author of Creating Strategy: A Practical Guide, published in 2021.
Exposure to mental health problems close to him have given him a long- standing interest in this area and motivated him to apply to the Trust. He hopes to be able to help the Trust with his experience in leadership in a large, complex organisation, as well as a background in strategy and communications.
Michael has commercial transaction experience from his time at IBM.
Jeni Bremner
Jeni has worked in public service for over 25 years in the NHS and Local Government and has over 30 years experience at board level both as an executive and non-executive. A nurse by background, Jeni is also a health economist and was a member of the Board as a Health Economist then Policy Analyst at Newcastle City Health Trust, a community and mental health trust, in the mid 90s. She then joined the Local Government Association, the national body of Englisth Local Government, to lead their public health and health agenda in the late 90s. Her remit expanded to include social care and community safety. She joined the Local Government Associate Board in the early 2000s.
In 2007, she became Chief Executive of an international health charity, the European Health Management Association, focusing on policy and practice to improve health management and the delivery of high quality patient focussed healthcare. She worked extensively across the European Region with a wide range of partners both in country at provider / payer level and with government and other non-governmental bodies including the World Health Organisation, European Union and other pan-national organisations. Her particular focus was on Public Health, Patient Involvement / Community Engagement and Health Workforce.
Since 2016 Jeni has focussed primarily on her non executive career and is currently Deputy Chair at Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust and Chair of AECC University College.
Dr Kevin Cleary
Kevin was previously Deputy Chief Inspector of Hospitals and lead for mental health at the Care Quality Commission (CQC), where he was responsible for the regulation of all mental health providers in England.
Kevin has held posts as Medical Director at the NPSA, Chief Medical Officer at East London NHS Founeation Trust (rated outstanding by the CQC) and Chief Medical Officer and Deputy Chief Executive a the North Middlesex Hospital University Trust.
Kevin has transaction experience including the merger of Hammersmith and Fulham and Broadmoor Hospitals and East London NHS Foundation Trust’s acquisition of Luton and Bedfordshire services (from South Essex).
Kate FitzGerald
Kate was in the City for over 30 years, becoming a senior lawyer in a globally significant, highly regulated financial institution where her role included risk, working with regulators, industry groups and understanding the dynamics of and challenges faced by individuals and complex organisations.
Kate has personal experience of dealing with disability and terminal conditions as well as the profound effects and outcomes on carers and families.
Kate was Co-Chair of Access Ability, a business resource group at the financial institution where she worked, she identified risk and compliance issues relating to the Equalities Act and worked with the Head of the Legal to address these.
Kate was previously a governor at Barncroft School Leigh Park where she was the Special Educational Needs lead governor.
Dr David Hicks 
David has over 30 years’ experience in senior clinical and management leadership posts. Most recently he has been interim Medical Director at Great Ormond Street, where he was the trust’s lead for patient and staff safety and clinical quality with responsibility for the legal team andmedical workforce and their education and development.
He has held a range of Board Level clinical leadership posts during his career, as well as being Acting Chief Executive at Barnsley Hospital from 2006 to 2007. David held a number of roles with Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, advising on the Trust’s clinical reorganisation and Chairing the Quality Committee, leading on safeguarding and End-of-Life Care. In addition to his role at Great Ormond Street, he was also a Clinical and Professional Advisor to the Care Quality Commission and a Medical Appraiser to NHS England, supporting a number of GPs across the South of England. He is also an Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Sheffield and an Assistant Professor at the University of St. Matthew’s in Miami.
His other roles have included: Consultant in GenitoUrinary Medicine and Sexual Health, Non-Exeuctive Director in two other NHS Trusts, Medical Director (Transfusion) for NHS Blood and Transplant Service, Medical Director for the Cromwell Hospitalk, Advisor to the NHS Covid-19 Behaviour Change Unit and Trustee for Horder Healthcare.
David Kelham
David is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and held Chief Financial Officer (CFO) roles in major UK based companies for 24 of his 34 year executive career covering 48 different countries. As Chief Finance Officer of the respective Boards he helped to successfully grow and transform seven organisations, including six PLCs. In 2010 he was nominated by one of the leading accounting firms as ‘an outstanding international Chief Finance Officer’.
His mother lived with Alzheimer’s for 10 years before her death in 2011. His mother-in-law died in January 2021, again after a long period of dementia. David was honorary Treasurer and Trustee of the Alzheimer’s Society from September 2015-March 2017.David was a member of the Scout Association for 40 years, rising to Explorer Scout Commissioner before retiring. He is also a past member and Chairman in the Round Table organisation, and a member and past Chairman of the Ex-Round Tablers’ Association.
David has been involved in 25 commercial acquisitions across the telecommunications, travel, retail and infrastructure sectors, three disposals and the establishment of international joint ventures.
Dr Subashini M
Subashini is a surgical doctor by background and now works as Medical Director at Aviva Health, implementing value-based healthcare, delivering data-driven solutions and championing workplace wellbeing,
She previously worked as Director of Science, Health and Wellness at Holland and Barrett where she provides expertise powering the delivery of science-backed in-store and digital products and services, to cement Holland and Barrett’s status as a trusted health and wellness destination.
Subashini Chairs is the Wellbeing Guardian for the trust. She is also a Non-Executive Director at Healthwatch Hampshire, and a faculty member at Good Governance Institute.
Subashini has commercial transactions experience from Holland and Barrett, providing subject matter expertise in validating and reviewing the valuation of potential opportunities, specific to science-based ventures, and supporting post-acquisition integration plans..
Ade Williams 
Ade is the Director and Superintendent Pharmacist of the MJ Williams Pharmacy Group. He is the Lead prescribing Pharmacist at the multi-award-winning Bedminster Pharmacy in South Bristol. He was an Associate Non-Executive Director at the North Bristol NHS Trust also worked as part of a GP Clinical Team. Ade is the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s Patient Champion. For distinction in the practice of pharmacy, he received a Fellowship of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. He maintains ongoing research and clinical design interest in population health management and addressing health inequalities.
Further recognition for his work through national awards include the 2019 NHS Parliamentary Award for Excellence in Primary Care, GP-Pharmacist of the Year 2019 and NHS Pharmacist of the Year 2018. As part of the 2018 NHS70 Parliamentary Awards, he was nominated as the Person-Centred Care Champion. Ade received an MBE in the New Year’s Honours list 2022 for his services to the NHS and the community in South Bristol, particularly during COVID-19.
Ade is a Board Member and Trustee of the Self Care Forum Charity responsible for the NHS Self Care Week and ongoing Self Care Strategy and is also Director of a Business Improvement District responsible for aligning the delivery of commercial, communal and wellbeing objectives.
Diana Eccles
Diana Eccles is Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Professor of Cancer Genetics at the University of Southampton, she is an Honorary Consultant in Clinical Genetics in the Wessex Regional Genetics Service based at University Hospital Southampton. She graduated in Medicine from Manchester University in 1983, her clinical training is in general medicine, oncology and clinical genetics and she has worked and trained in Manchester, Edinburgh and Southampton. Her research background is in molecular genetics and genetic epidemiology, her doctoral thesis investigated the molecular genetics of ovarian cancer working in the MRC Human Genetics Unit in Edinburgh, she was awarded her MD in 1992. Previous roles at University of Southampton include Director of the Southampton Clinical Trials Unit (2009-2014) and Head of Cancer Sciences (2015-2018). She contributes to national and international scientific evaluations and peer review including the UKRI REF 2022 evaluation panel (Main panel A, SP1), MRC CARP (chair) and Research Council of Norway Centres of Excellence panel. Her research focuses on genetic predisposition to cancer and management of hereditary breast cancer and aims to improve the interpretation, communication and clinical translation of genetic variants in cancer predisposition genes.
Ron Shields, Chief Executive - 
Ron has considerable leadership experience with over 20 years as a successful NHS Chief Executive. His 40-year NHS career spans varied roles across physical and mental health, inpatient and community settings. Prior to joining Southern Health, Ron was Chief Executive at Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust, where he led the organisation to achieve an overall Care Quality Commission rating of Outstanding.
Ron has also led NHS organisations in London and Northampton. He has a track record of successful and sustainable transformation and integration of services to improve patient outcomes.
Paula Anderson, Deputy Chief Executive and Finance Director - 
Paula joined Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust in 2009 and was appointed as Deputy Director of Finance in 2014. Prior to this, Paula’s finance experience was within commissioning, including the Finance Director for Mid-Hampshire PCT between 2001 and 2006.
As part of her role at Southern Health, Paula leads on finance, procurement, performance reporting and contracting.In 2001, Paula attained an MBA from the Cranfield University and is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.
Kerry Salmon, Acting Chief People Officer - 
Kerry is a highly experienced HR professional who has worked in the local healthcare system since 1999. Previously Deputy Chief People Officer, Kerry is acting Chief People Officer during the period until this post has been filled substantively.
Paula Hull, Director of Nursing and Allied Health Professionals -
Paula qualified as a registered nurse at Southampton Hospital in 1988. Following a career in community nursing, she became a practice nurse, working in primary care for over 10 years. After several years as a Matron in Primary Care, she joined Southern Health. She also worked at South Central Strategic Health Authority as a Patient Safety Manager.
Paula attained a Masters in Leadership and Management from the University of Southampton in 2013 and became the Associate Director of Nursing and Allied Health Professionals in the Integrated Services Division in 2014. This includes responsibility for all Nurses and Allied Health Professionals and accountability for ensuring patients, service users and families are at the heart of our services.
Eugene Jones, Chief Operating Officer -
Eugene Jones joined Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust as Chief Operating Officer on 1 April 2022. A highly experienced and capable director, Eugene joined from East London NHS Foundation Trust, an outstanding rated organisation, where he led on successful operational service delivery and transformation of services across North East London.
Eugene is a compassionate and inclusive leader, and a clinician by background, who puts patients, carers and colleagues first. He has held Director-level posts across health and social care since 2013 including Clinical Director and Borough Director roles in mental health and community health services.
Eugene holds a Masters Degree in Healthcare Leadership (University of Manchester) and a PGDip in Forensic Mental Health (Kings College London). Eugene was also awarded the role of Honorary Lecturer at the Institute of Psychiatry in the field of Dual Diagnosis.
Eugene has transaction experience including community and mental health Trust mergers involving South West London & St George’s and also East London NHS Foundation Trust’s acquisition of Luton and Bedfordshire services (from South Essex Partnership Trust).
Heather Mitchell, Director of Strategy and Infrastructure Transformation - 
Heather has held NHS Executive Director posts with a broad portfolio for over 12 years. Within Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, Heather leads on strategic planning, digital estates and sustainability.
Prior to joining the Trust, Heather was Director of Strategy and Partnerships for West Hampshire Clinical Commissioning Group, where she held the responsibility for Clinical Commissioning Group strategy and business planning, mental health commissioning, children’s commissioning and digital transformation.
She previously worked with Hounslow and Richmond Community Healthcare (HRCH) NHS Trust, where she was the Director of Planning and Performance with responsibility for strategy, business development, perforamnce, digital and estates. Heather holds a Master’s Degree and PhD in Civil Engineering and prior to joining the NHS she worked in engineering consultancy and project management with responsibility for business development.
Heather joined Hounslow and Richmond Community Healthcare just after the Trust had formed (bringing together two community organisations) and supported the post-merger cultural alignment. Heather also led a pioneering outcome-based commissioning approach developing a lead provider model within Richmond, working in partnership with two acute providers.
Dr Steve Tomkins, Chief Medical Officer -
Steve joined the Trust as Chief Medical Officer in May 2021 and is a GP by training. Whilst developing a family based primary care service in Christchurch, Steve enjoyed a varied career including, at different times, various roles for Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group. These roles included being the lead for education, primary care estates, integration, self-care and self-management and locality clinical lead. Steve was also Programme Director for the Wessex GP day release course.
Steve was formerly Medical Director at Dorset Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, helping the organisation achieve outstanding status.
Steve has transactions experience in primary care and was previously a Board member at Dorset CCG when Poole Hospital and Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals initially proposed a merger.