Board of Directors

Non-Executive Directors

Mike Maier, Chair

“I am inspired and influenced by people who do what they do, not for their own gratification, but to help people. They have compassion and care in huge bundles and to do that, in the way so many of our staff do, really motivates me to try to contribute in any way I can.”

Born in Coventry but brought up in Leicester, Mike went to the University of Liverpool to study economics and thereafter trained as a chartered accountant. In 1983 Mike joined Pilkington and spent nearly three decades working in the organisation, chiefly in international manufacturing in the building products and ophthalmic sectors. He travelled extensively and lived in a number of countries including Australia, California and Central and Eastern Europe.

In 2010, he left the company as European Finance Director and in 2011 applied to become a non-executive director with CWP after being inspired by the compassion, enthusiasm and motivation of staff, its board members and involvement representatives. In 2013, he was appointed chair of the Audit Committee and deputy chair to the Trust. In 2015, Mike took the helm as chair of the Trust.

Andrea Campbell, Non-Executive Director

“I always try to make a difference, but what I hope to achieve whilst at CWP is to support the organisation in being a great place for the people who use the services and for those who work in it. This Trust is ethical and has integrity, which is important to me, but most of all I want to help it be the best.”

Another recent edition to our NED team is Andrea. She has lived in England for 40 years but was originally born in Boston, US, as a twin. Andrea travelled around Europe in the 1960s before settling in London – working for most of her life in the NHS.

Andrea started her career within secretarial school in the US before taking a role within health at the King’s Fund Emergency Bed Service in London for five years and then as a unit administrator for a new service in learning disabilities. Andrea went on to work at Hammersmith Council, London, within health policy, relocating to Bolton both to support her new family and to continue her career within health policy. During this time, she undertook a master’s degree at Leeds University in social and public policy and in the second year she was asked to take on a new post as an executive director for community care within Sefton’s health authority. Whilst at Sefton, Andrea was asked to set up the first North West Secure Commissioning team and in 2004 she left the NHS to set up an active consultancy business, which has run for over ten years. Since then she has held a NED post before joining CWP this year.

Edward Jenner, Non-Executive Director

“CWP is a fantastic organisation. Everyone I have met is dedicated, intelligent, caring – just wonderful people. I marvel at how we are able to help people better cope with life. I’ve always felt that if I was to come and help the NHS I would want it to be in mental health. It’s a hidden thing and it’s far more important than we like to think it is.”

We would like to welcome Edward, one of our newest NEDs to the organisation. Edward was born on the Wirral and studied at University College London before joining Unilever as a graduate trainee. He stayed with the company for 19 years and returned to Wirral to start a family after living and working in Holland for two years.

In 1999 Edward was recruited by Wedgwood, initially as Group Finance Director, and stayed with the company for seven years before starting a 20-year-long portfolio career at non-executive director level; providing consultancy advice and working within his family house-building company. Variety, new things and creativity are Edward’s drives in life, which meant that working in CWP was a natural fit.

Lucy Crumplin, Non Executive Director

“It’s about understanding how we can do our very best for the people that come to CWP and the people that care for them. I try to help find ways we can keep improving on that all the time. I’m proud to be associated with an organisation that’s so committed to doing the right thing for the people that use our services – that concept absolutely guides our decision making as a Board.”

Born and brought up in South Wales, Lucy has always been down to earth, determined and fascinated by how people think. Following a degree in English Literature and Psychology at Cardiff University, she started her career in London with KPMG, moving from Accountancy to Consultancy where she focused on helping firms motivate, develop and reward people effectively. Subsequently working for PA Consulting and Hedra, Lucy built her people and change management experience with both public and private sectors organisations across the UK.

The Welsh hills tempted her back and in 2007 Lucy took the role of Chief HR Officer with Wrexham Council. A family followed with a short break from work and now Lucy has two children who keep her on her toes, as well as working independently as a HR and Management Consultant. When Lucy saw the Non-Executive role at CWP advertised it seemed like a perfect fit to bring her background in psychology, business consultancy and HR strands together in a really beneficial way. She was delighted to be appointed in 2013 and re-appointed in 2016.

Dr James O'Connor, Non-Executive Director

“I never realised what a great place CWP was until I joined. Having worked on a number of different boards, I can say the atmosphere within the Trust from all members of the organisation right through to the unity of the Board is a pleasure to be part of. The Trust is filled with warmth and care and as a part of the team here, I hope I can make an equal contribution.”

A retired GP, Jim describes himself as a “true scouser”. Born in Liverpool before moving to Southport, Jim went on to study medicine at the University of Liverpool. Working in Wirral as a GP from 1978, with a specialism in obstetrics and gynaecology, Jim became the first doctor in his family and the last GP in Wirral to do home deliveries and maternity hospital deliveries.

After establishing himself as a GP, Jim went on to find extra stimulus within medical director roles in community services, intermediate care and primary care to give him a wider view of care in the community. These roles became a great asset in supporting him move to the role of NED at CWP in 2014. Jim currently chairs the Trust Quality Committee and is Deputy Chair of the Trust.

Rebecca Burke-Sharples, Non-Executive Director

“CWP manifests the values you want to see in all NHS Trusts. These values demonstrate that we are trying to be the best we can be to help the people we serve. It’s a privilege to work within the organisation and I hope I can contribute in some way to us becoming the most outstanding mental health Trust in this country.”

Rebecca was born in Liverpool and went to school in Crosby before starting her nursing career in the NHS in 1976. She went on to become Director of Nursing at both of Manchester’s Children's Hospitals, and Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool as their Director of Nursing and Operations, and to work on national policy in the field of children’s intensive care. Rebecca received a CBE for her work on the Bristol Royal Infirmary Independent Public Inquiry and in 2007 she was awarded an Honorary Fellowship from her Alma Mater, Liverpool John Moores University for services to nursing and healthcare management.

As Chief Executive she managed the merger of St Helens and Halton Primary Care Trusts before becoming the CEO for the combined Trust. In 2008 Rebecca retired from the NHS. Her interests since include competitive bridge, and from 2009 she has been a Trustee of Chester Zoo and subsequently Vice Chairman until her retirement from the role earlier this year. In 2014 Rebecca became a NED at CWP and has led on Mental Health Act assurance. She has taken up the role of Speak Up Champion and Board Champion for Person-Centred Care. She is also the Trust’s Senior Independent Director.

Executive Directors

Sheena Cumiskey, Chief Executive

“I am passionate about working with, and supporting, people to be the best they can be. I am proud of our organisation and the staff that work so hard to provide safe, effective and person-centered care.”

Sheena was born and raised in Chester before moving to study Human Geography at the University of Liverpool. From an early age, and influenced by her father, she knew that connecting with people and helping bring out the best in them would be her future professional path. Being a General Management Training Scheme graduate and learning from others, has led her to a career spanning over 30 years in the NHS, with 20 years at Chief Executive level.

A former Chief Executive of both commissioning and provider organisations, Sheena has worked at strategic and operational levels within the NHS. Currently, she is Chair of the North West Leadership Academy Board and a member of the NHS Employers Policy Board. Sheena was named CEO of the Year at the 2015 Health Service Journal (HSJ) Awards and currently holds a position within the HSJ’s Top 50 CEOs.

Avril Devaney, Director of Nursing, Therapies and Patient Partnership

“I am very aware of the discrimination people face because they are regarded negatively for being different; in doing that we miss out on so much richness from people’s uniqueness. Our role is to help support and to promote inclusiveness and person-centredness. It is about connecting with people and helping them live full lives, in the way that matters to them.”

Avril was born and raised in Lancashire and became a registered mental health nurse in 1983. Inspired by a family member who has learning disabilities, Avril has always wanted to help people live full lives. She worked in Lancashire in a range of clinical settings prior to joining Cheshire and Wirral Partnership in 2001 and became a Director in 2003.

Avril has a keen interest in nurse leadership and organisational change, a subject she specialised in as part of her MSc in Health and Social Care. She has a strong sense of social justice and is committed to reducing health and social inequalities. She received the Queen’s Nursing Institute Award for Innovation in 1999, after establishing a mental health nursing service in local police custody suites. Avril has been a lead for the Trust’s Challenging Stigma campaign since 2004, and the lead for CWP’s link with Kisiizi Hospital in Uganda since 2010. Avril received an MBE in the Queen’s New Years Honours List in 2010 for services to mental health nursing.

Dr Anushta Sivananthan, Medical Director, Compliance, Quality and Assurance

“I’ve worked with some really inspiring people who have taught me all the things I know, to allow me to do my job to the best of my abilities. I have the best job in the world. I have the pleasure of being able to do clinical work but also to help as a medical director to improve quality and standards of care.”

Originally from Doncaster, Anushta completed her medical training in Liverpool before qualifying as a psychiatrist in 1996. She gained a Diploma in Geriatric Medicine in 1997 and has over 15 years experience as a consultant, with a speciality in old age psychiatry. Anushta took the position of medical director in 2010, having previously held posts as both the Trustwide clinical director for Adult Services and clinical director for Older People’s Services. She has also held the Programme Director role for Old Age Psychiatrists at Mersey Deanery.

Today she balances her role as a medical director with her clinical duties at CWP’s Bowmere Hospital, Chester. In 2013 Nush was presented with a North West Leadership Award for Quality and Innovation and currently leads the Zero Harm agenda within the Trust. She is also the Trust’s executive lead on work in Western Cheshire to explore options for accountable care systems, aiming to influence the development of an environment of continuous improvement

Andy Styring, Director of Operations

“All achievements by CWP are due to competent, committed teams and have been feasible due to the partnerships adopted within and across services and agencies. I am proud to work within CWP and feel passionate about enabling others to be the best they can be.”

Raised in Lancashire, Andy went to Blackpool Grammer School, before attending the University of Lancaster in 1974. He started his career as a charge nurse in 1979. Over the last 35 years, Andy has taken on a number of roles within the NHS; as a nurse, teacher and senior manager in services for children and adults with learning disabilities. He has held several senior clinical posts, taking the role as Director of Operations, at CWP, in 2009.

Andy’s life has been dedicated to people with learning disabilities having lived with and alongside those individuals affected. Andy is a former Healthcare Commission Associate and is a former member of the local Safeguarding Children Boards, Learning Disability Partnership Boards, and is a member of the Executive Commissioning Group for mental health and learning disability services across Cheshire and Wirral. Andy recently became Governor of Ancora School and is Chair of the Nevexia Board. He is also on the Board of Central Cheshire Integrated Care Partnership.

Tim Welch, Director of Finance

“I am an accountant by training, but what motivates me is how I can help everyone do the best they can in caring for the people who need our services. The vision and values of the organisation are fantastic and I believe in the work around patient-centered care - genuinely wanting to put patients at the heart of what we do to and working collaboratively to get the best answer for them.”

Lancashire born, Tim went to boarding school before attending the University of Liverpool to study bio-chemistry. He eventually took a route into accounting, starting his career as a graduate within financial management in Norwich Health Authority. He eventually found his way back to Lancashire as Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Finance at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, before joining CWP in 2013.

Tim has worked within the NHS for more than 20 years, with over 12 years experience as a Director. A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, Tim also deputises for Sheena working collaboratively with partner organisations to get the best answers for the patients CWP cares for. Tim is also the Chair for CWP’s Business Development and Innovation Sub Committee, Nevexia Board and Central Cheshire Integrated Care Partnership Board. He also holds a director position on the Villicare Board.

Dr Faouzi Alam, Medical Director, Effectiveness, Medical Education and Medical Workforce / Caldicott Guardian

“I come from a big family and was brought up during the war; you therefore appreciate everything so much more and work hard. I feel inspired by my family to do the best I can and to help people both clinically and strategically. When you see a patient it is rewarding to see the outcome of what you are doing there and then, but strategically you are helping a bigger number of people.”

Born in Lebanon, Faouzi moved to Latvia and graduated as a medical doctor in 1996. He moved to Russia and lived there for five years to complete his post-graduate course in renal medicine. He moved to the UK in 2001. Faouzi was inspired by his research into psychosis in patients receiving haemodialysis and decided to change direction. He trained to become a psychiatrist, before taking a job within CWP. He is now the consultant in the early intervention team in psychosis.

With over 20 years’ experience as a doctor, Faouzi was appointed as joint medical director in October 2013. He is the Responsible Officer and the Trust’s Caldicott Guardian.

David Harris, Director of People & Organisational Development

“I feel so attached to CWP and the incredibly important work we do. It is the best place I have ever worked. No, we are not perfect and there is much we can do better. I see my role as helping to create a workplace where everyone feels supported, valued and able to give their best every day.”

David’s early years were spent in Lancaster before he embarked on a degree in Classics at Peterhouse College, Cambridge. His time there took an unexpected turn and he experienced a period of ill-health. He had always wanted to work in the public sector and started his career in the Prison Service. His has since worked in a variety of settings and throughout that time has frequently found himself drawing on his own experience to support individuals dealing with mental health challenges.

A former member of the Civil Service Fast Stream Scheme, David has over 22 years experience working in public sector organisations with a particular focus in the development, implementation and management of organisational change. Previous to his role at CWP, David worked at Aintree University Hospital as Deputy Director of Human Resources and Organisational Development. He is an AQuA Fellow in Improvement Science, has an advanced diploma in executive coach mentoring and is a Chartered Fellow of the Charted Institute of Personnel and Development.