Our Board

Adrian Hardy, Chair

I have been a resident of the Wigan Borough for over 50 years working for the Council in a range of roles, finally in the Chief Executive’s department. Over that period I had remits that involved supporting local communities through the Urban Programme, City Challenge, Sure Start and a range of European funding initiatives.

I became involved in Health and social care issues more deeply upon my retirement. I have done some volunteering in Clinical Audit with WWL; have been a patient representative on the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership; supported work at the Royal College of Physicians inputting a patient perspective on their work and that of the British Nuclear Medicine Society of which I am a Council member. In many ways my role at Healthwatch Wigan and Leigh has given me an opportunity to support patients in the local health and social care environment, which is ever changing and always challenging.

As Healthwatch becomes more embedded in Wigan Borough Community First I see our role as again supporting local community initiatives with practical and, where possible, financial assistance as we work together to improve our health and social care.

Aside from Healthwatch I am also a school governor and chair a Multi-Academy Trust of 3 schools.

Anthony Clarke, Director

I was born in Leigh and have lived in many different parts of the Borough over the years.  I am now retired but previously worked for Wigan Council for over 41 years. I ended my career as Director of Finance and Legal. 

During the latter part of my career I had the opportunity to become involved in the Council’s Deal for Communities programme. This gave me a good insight into the sector and gave me a passion to support in whatever way possible. I actively encouraged my teams to get out in the community and volunteer across the Borough.   

On retirement I was considering a number of opportunities to support the sector but when approached by WBCF thought this was the perfect option for me.

Lynn Mitchell, Director

I have lived in Wigan throughout my life, I am retired but have previously worked within the NHS services locally for almost 49 years.

I started work as a Cadet Nurse at Billinge Hospital in 1975 and ended my NHS career as the Associate Director – Quality and Patient Safety, at NHS Wigan Clinical Commissioning Group. 

In between these times I worked as a Registered Nurse, mainly based within the Operating Department at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary in Wigan.

Working in the Operating Department gave me a passion for ensuring high quality services and patient safety.  In 2005 I joined the local NHS Commissioning Team, later establishing a Quality Team working on ensuring quality and patient safety standards across health and care services in Wigan. I actively encouraged the team to get out in the community, and we also worked collaboratively with Healthwatch Wigan and Leigh volunteers in conducting Quality Improvement Visits to various providers across the Borough.   

On retirement when I was approached about volunteering, I felt that I had the knowledge and skill set that could be helpful to the team as it becomes more embedded within Wigan Borough Community First.

In alignment with the organisations values I also see our role as supporting local community initiatives with practical and, where possible, financial assistance as we work collectively to improve health and care services for local people. I am a Wigan resident and have always worked in the local community, to hopefully support local people.

Stuart Parsons, Director

I’m the chief officer of Wigan Family welfare. During my time there, I discovered Healthwatch Wigan and Leigh. Impressed with their work, I volunteered myself to use my directorial skills to their benefit.

From this, I joined into Wigan Borough Community First.

Ernie Rothwell, Director

Born and bred in Leigh. I am a chartered electrical engineer by profession specialising in secure power systems. I have travelled extensively mainly in Europe as I worked for 30 years with a large German manufacturer. I’m a keen walker and chairman of a Leigh rambling club. I’m also a keen follower of sport of all kinds. As a volunteer I’ve been involved in in patient engagement for the NHS in the Primary Care arena for 18 years or so. I chair the Leigh PCN Patient Engagement Group and am a patient representative both at the Leigh PCN Executive and at the Wigan Borough Level committees.

My aim is to endeavor to promote patient engagement throughout the Borough particularly in deprived areas. As a new member of the Board, I see Healthwatch and Wigan Borough Community First as a key part of understanding and reflecting the patient view.

Dave Sudell, Director

I spent most of my working life as a design engineer in the Nuclear Industry. My leisure interest has always been the great outdoors and for many years I’ve been an active member of a mountaineering club holding various voluntary management roles.

I have enjoyed many years walking, climbing and skiing extensively in the UK, Europe and Worldwide. After discovering Healthwatch via my GP’s Patient’s Practice Group, I joined the Healthwatch board and further got involved with Wigan Borough Community First.

Dorothy Whitaker, Director

I was born and educated in Salford, with nursing qualifications from St Thomas’ Hospital London and Open University Post Experience qualifications.

I have been a resident of Wigan MBC for 45 years and spent the majority of my professional life working in community development both in the UK and internationally. This included Chief Officer roles in 2 Councils for Voluntary Service in North West England.

Following formal retirement, I was appointed a Non-Executive Director of Ashton, Leigh and Wigan, a Primary Care Trust transferring to Bridgewater Community Healthcare Trust, for 12 years. I was a Trustee of Wigan and Leigh Carers Centre until 2023. I am currently a volunteer in reading schemes supporting primary school children and older adults in Wigan.