The powers of the Trust are exercised by the Board of Directors. Any of those powers may be delegated to a committee of directors or to an executive director.
The Board meet every month, click here for details.
Meet our Executive Directors
Richard Parker OBE, Chief Executive
Prior to becoming Chief Executive in January 2017, Richard served as our Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Quality. He began his NHS career as a student nurse, qualifying in 1985, and went on to hold a number of senior leadership roles at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals – including Deputy Chief Nurse in 2005, Deputy Chief Operating Officer in 2010, and Chief Operating Officer in 2013. He held this post until joining us in October 2013.
As a former nurse, Richard is particularly interested in the delivery of high-quality care and is a strong advocate for clinical excellence at every level – championing standards from Board to ward. He holds an MBA in Health and Social Services from Leeds University and the Nuffield Institute for Health, completed in 1997.
Denise Smith, Chief Operating Officer
Originally from York, Denise began her NHS career over 25 years ago in operational management within Women and Children’s services. Since then, she has held a range of roles across both primary and secondary care, working in commissioner and provider organisations. From 2009 onwards, she has taken on senior operational leadership positions at a number of Acute Trusts across the country.
Most recently, Denise served as Chief Operating Officer at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn, a role she held from May 2019 until joining DBTH in January 2023.
Karen Jessop, Chief Nurse
Karen joined DBTH in January 2023, having previously served as Deputy Chief Nurse at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals from October 2017 to January 2023.
She began her nursing career in 1995 at Hull University Hospitals, where she spent over 20 years in a range of clinical and leadership roles across critical care and surgery. During this time, she progressed to become a Matron and later a Divisional Nurse Manager. Alongside her professional development, Karen also qualified as a Registered Midwife and completed a Master’s Degree in Health Care Leadership with the University of Birmingham.
Dr Tim Noble, Executive Medical Director
Dr Noble was appointed Executive Medical Director at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals in 2020.
Born and raised in York, Tim qualified from St Bartholomew’s Hospital Medical School in London in 1989. After completing his medical training, he worked in several hospitals across the south of England before returning to the North in 1995 to undertake a research project at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals. He qualified as a specialist in respiratory medicine in 2002.
Tim joined DBTH in 2006 as a Consultant Respiratory Physician following a period at Barnsley Hospital. From 2010 to 2017, he led the Trust’s respiratory medicine service and held two Clinical Director roles before being appointed Deputy Medical Director in 2017.
Zara Jones, Deputy Chief Executive
Prior to joining DBTH, Zara served as Executive Director of Strategy and Planning at Derbyshire Integrated Care Board (ICB). In this role, she worked closely with partners across the region to lead a broad portfolio spanning acute, mental health, primary and community care services, with responsibilities covering commissioning, performance and strategic development.
A graduate of the NHS Management Scheme, Zara has built a strong background in strategy, commissioning and performance management. She has held senior roles at a number of NHS organisations, including Sherwood Forest Hospitals, Nottingham University Hospitals and The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust.
Sam Wilde, Chief Finance Officer
Sam joined Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals in late 2024 from Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust, where he had served as Director of Finance and Business Intelligence since 2018. He brings a wealth of financial leadership experience across both the NHS and the private sector.
As Chief Finance Officer, Sam is a key member of the Executive Team, responsible for financial management, governance and supporting the Trust’s strategic aims while ensuring long-term sustainability. His portfolio also includes Estates and Facilities, Information Technology and Digital Transformation, and the Project Management Office.
A Chartered Management Accountant, Sam holds a Master of Business Administration and has held senior financial roles across healthcare and industry. During his time at Lincolnshire Community Health Services, he helped to maintain financial stability, deliver efficiencies and support the organisation’s outstanding CQC rating.
Zoe Lintin, Chief People Officer
A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), Zoe joined Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust as Chief People Officer in June 2022. She was formerly the Director of Human Resources and Organisational Development at Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, where she held an executive role since 2016.
Passionate about creating the best possible workplace environment for colleagues, with an acute understanding of the direct impact this has on the delivery of high quality healthcare, Zoe is also Branch Chair of the Yorkshire and Humber branch of the Healthcare People Management Association (HPMA) and a member of the South Yorkshire branch of the CIPD. She is a qualified coach, accredited mediator and trained in the use of psychometric testing and 360-degree feedback.
Zoe’s earlier career included working in a range of HR, OD and learning and development roles in the private and legal sectors and she began her NHS career working at Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust in 2006. She has also been a Trustee on Boards, in a voluntary capacity, from 2019 and since January 2026 has been a Trustee at the Student’s Union at the University of Sheffield.
Meet our Non-Executive Directors
Mark Bailey, Interim Chair of the Board
Mark joined DBTH as a Non-Executive Director in February 2020 and will assume the position of Interim Chair of the Board in January 2026.
He brings over 30 years of experience from Rolls-Royce plc, where he held senior leadership roles including Group Director for Customers and Services. With a background in engineering and manufacturing, Mark has developed expertise in strategic partnerships, business growth and customer service transformation, and has led the introduction of digital and preventative analytics in safety-critical environments.
At DBTH, he has chaired several Board Committees covering Charity, People, Finance and Performance, and also serves as Chair of Doncaster and Bassetlaw Health Services Ltd. He additionally holds Non-Executive roles with Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust, the NHS Retirement Fellowship Charity and Ashgate Hospice.
Originally from Armthorpe, Doncaster, Mark now lives with his family in Ashbourne, Derbyshire.
Mark is currently Chair of the Finance and Performance Committee and was appointed Interim Chair of the Board in late September 2025, taking up the role in January 2026.
Kath Smart, Non-executive Director.
A Doncaster resident, Kath brings significant experience from across the public sector, having worked in the NHS for over a decade in commissioning roles across Doncaster, Wakefield and Hull. Her career has spanned areas including risk management, governance and external inspections.
A Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) qualified accountant, Kath most recently served as a Non-Executive Director at Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH), where she also chaired the Audit Committee and its associated social enterprise, Flourish Enterprises.
Kath is Deputy Chair of the Board.
Helen Best, Non-executive Director.
Helen brings extensive experience across health, education and governance. She began her career in the NHS as a diagnostic radiographer before moving into senior leadership roles in university education, where she spent over 20 years at Sheffield Hallam University, including roles as Deputy Dean and Dean of Academic Strategy.
Helen holds a Master’s in Further and Higher Education and a postgraduate award in Health and Social Care Leadership. She has significant experience in corporate governance through university boards and as a Trustee of Sheffield City Trust.
At a national level, Helen works as a Lead Partner Visitor for the HCPC and an assessor for the College of Radiographers. She is well connected across South Yorkshire and is committed to supporting the Board in delivering its strategic ambitions.
Dr Emyr Wyn Jones, Non-executive Director.
Dr Jones qualified in medicine in 1973 and joined the former Doncaster Royal and Mexborough Hospital NHS Trust in 1986, beginning a 24-year career as a Consultant General Physician with a specialist interest in diabetes and endocrinology. He is the author of An Illustrated Guide to the Diabetic Clinic, published by Blackwell Science in 1998 and reprinted and translated internationally.
He went on to serve as Clinical Director of Medicine before being appointed Medical Director in 1998 and Deputy Chief Executive in 2004, roles he held until his retirement in 2010.
Since then, Dr Jones, who lives in Bessacarr, has taken on a number of national leadership roles, including Medical Advisor to the National Audit Office and Clinical Leader for the Summary Care Records Programme at NHS Digital. He was also Secondary Care Doctor Member for NHS Doncaster Clinical Commissioning Group from 2015 until its closure in 2022.
As Clinical Non-Executive Director, Dr Jones serves as Deputy Chair of the Quality and Effectiveness Committee and is one of the Trust’s Maternity and Neonatal Safety Champions.
Stephen Radford, Non-executive Director.
Stephen joined DBTH as a Non-Executive Director in October 2025. A qualified accountant, he brings over 30 years of financial and leadership experience across both the private and public sectors in the UK and internationally.
He has held senior roles including Group and Divisional Finance Director, Head of Shared Services, Senior Vice President and Partner within global management consultancies. Prior to joining DBTH, Stephen served as Associate Non-Executive Director at Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust.
Stephen lives locally in the Penistone area and also serves as Senior Independent Director at Barnsley Hospital.
Joanne Gander, Clinical Non-executive Director.
Joanne Gander is a Registered General Nurse with extensive experience across both the NHS and healthcare industry.
Most recently, she served as Clinical and Product Assurance Director for Supply Chain Co-ordination Limited, the organisation managing NHS Supply Chain. Prior to this, Jo spent around 25 years working in the pharmaceutical and medical device sector, before returning to the NHS in 2008 as Commissioning Group Director within North East Lincolnshire Care Trust Plus. She has also held senior roles within the Digital Team at NHS England.
Jo’s professional focus is on patient safety and the experience of care, with a strong commitment to ensuring both patients and health and care professionals are supported to deliver the highest standards.
In her capacity as Clinical Non-Executive Director, Jo is Chair of the Quality and Effectiveness Committee and one of the Trust’s Maternity and Neonatal Safety Champions. She also contributes to a number of other Board sub-committees.
Lucy Nickson, Non-executive Director.
Lucy began her career in nursing over 30 years ago, training in Sheffield and working at Weston Park Hospital before moving into health visiting in Chesterfield and North Derbyshire. She went on to hold a number of NHS management roles, including leading Community Nursing in Derbyshire and serving as Head of Performance at the East Midlands Strategic Health Authority.
In 2011, Lucy transitioned to the charity sector, where she has since held Chief Executive roles across a range of health and community organisations, including a hospice, a home-based end of life care charity, and The Foundation at Club Doncaster. She has also led South Yorkshire-based commercial healthcare organisations. Lucy is currently Chief Executive of Day One Trauma Support, a national charity that supports people affected by major trauma and serious injury.
In her role as Non-Executive Director, Lucy chairs the People Committee.
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