Meet our Governors

Deborah Benson – Public Governor for Doncaster

I am excited to serve as Governor and I hope to contribute to improvements in the health of our city.

With experience in change management across both the health service and broader industries, I am passionate about using new technologies to enhance patient care.

My personal journey also fuels my dedication to healthcare. After having a stroke a couple of years ago, I, along with family and friends, founded a support group for stroke survivors and carers in Doncaster.

I am also an active member of Stroke Voices in Research with the Stroke Association, advocating for better stroke recovery support and research.

Connor Bycroft – Public Governor for Doncaster

Awaiting Bio

Yetunde Elebuibon – Public Governor for Doncaster

I am proud to have been elected to the Council of Governors for Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in 2026. Doncaster is my home, and it is a privilege to represent people who rely on the Trust for their care.

My connection with DBTH began in 2005, when I started my career here as a biomedical scientist. I later spent 13 years working across NHS trusts in Yorkshire, gaining a practical understanding of how the NHS works, the pressures staff face, and the importance of high-quality, compassionate care for every patient.

My career has also centred on supporting people who are too often left behind. As an IT consultant, my passion is digital inclusion. I founded Knowledge Pool, a Doncaster-based organisation that helps people with little or no digital experience build confidence, get online, access services and participate fully in modern life. I hold a Master’s degree with distinction from the University of Wolverhampton and am a certified lifelong adult trainer, but my greatest reward is seeing people move from feeling excluded to feeling capable.

In 2022, I was elected as a councillor on the City of Doncaster Council, and I also serve as Lead for BAME Doncaster CLP, championing fairness, representation and opportunity. As a Governor, I want to bring that same commitment to DBTH: listening to patients, staff and communities, strengthening trust, promoting equity, and helping ensure every voice is heard and every door remains open.

Paul Lightfoot – Public Governor for Doncaster

Having lived in Doncaster all my life I feel really proud to have been selected as a public governor of DBTH where I am excited to be part of a team linking the service with the people of Doncaster.

I will use my experience of managing repairs and maintenance services for over 35 years within the public sector with multi-million pound budgets. I hope my experience in change management to deliver improving services with a high level of customer satisfaction will assist us to improve the health service to be people of Doncaster.

I thrive in getting involved and listening to the community and its groups to gain their feedback on the service they receive and developing initiatives for improvement.

I am very passionate about the use of technology and what it can bring to services for its staff and other users.

I will strive to make a difference.

Christine Lunney – Public Governor for Doncaster

Awaiting Bio

Leonard Rubie – Public Governor for Bassetlaw

It is a real privilege to have been elected to serve as Public Governor for Bassetlaw, a community I know well and care deeply about. Born in Worksop, I have a strong personal connection to the local area and to the hospitals that many families across Bassetlaw rely on in times of worry, need and hope.

I bring more than 30 years’ experience in Local Government, including 20 years managing a large finance team. I hope to draw on this experience to support caring, thoughtful decisions that keep patient safety, high standards of care and value for money at the heart of the Trust’s work.

Alongside my Governor role, I serve as County Treasurer for the Nottinghamshire County Branch of the Royal British Legion and have chaired the Worksop RBL Branch for the past four years. These roles have strengthened my commitment to public service, careful listening and fair representation. I hope to be an approachable and supportive voice for patients, families, members and the wider public, helping to ensure local views are heard as the Trust continues to deliver safe, high-quality care.

Matt Schofield – Public Governor for Rest of England and Wales

I am incredibly proud to have been elected as a Governor for the Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Having been born at Doncaster Royal Infirmary, I have maintained a deeply personal connection with the Trust for over 50 years.

Professionally, I divide my time between Doncaster and London. My career began as a physician and sports therapist, which provided a strong clinical foundation before I transitioned into senior management. I currently serve as a Group Manager for a Leisure Trust, alongside holding several board and trustee positions with organisations including Age Concern, the Hertfordshire Inclusive Sports Initiative, The Cycle Hub, and Barnes Football Club. Additionally, I have driven fundraising and awareness campaigns for national charities such as Breast Cancer Now, Mind, Diabetes UK, and Young Lives vs Cancer (formerly CLIC Sargent).

I relish the opportunity to serve as a vital bridge between the Trust and the public. This role marks the ideal time for me to give back to my local community. It is a privilege to contribute my experience, commitment, and passion to support the Trust’s strategic objectives

Sheila Walsh – Public Governor for Bassetlaw

I previously worked in the NHS as a technician and also served in the Civil Service. For many years, I was a carer for my disabled parents, which gave me first hand experience of the healthcare system and its vital role in people’s lives.

I became a governor to give back to the NHS and to advocate for patients, particularly those who may struggle to represent themselves. Ensuring that every patient’s voice is heard is a passion of mine, and I strive to make a meaningful difference in this area.

In addition to my role as governor, I am an active member of the Patient and Public Involvement Group for research at Doncaster Royal Infirmary and also serve as a Parish Councillor.

John Ward – Public Governor for Doncaster

Born and bred in Doncaster I am a proud Yorkshireman. Upon leaving school I pursued a career in Electrical Maintenance Engineering, a path which I broadly continued right up until my retirement.

My main interests these days are playing Table Tennis, following the fortunes of Sheffield Wednesday and collecting vinyl singles, especially No.1’s from 1952 to 1992.

I am very much looking forward to being able to assist in shaping the future direction and decision making of DRI and the Trust in general.

With advancing age comes an inevitable increased reliance on the services of the Trust, and as a former employee I feel I now have a balanced view of the needs of both the Trust and its Patients alike.

I will strive to address these needs to the mutual benefit of both parties.

Andrew Foulds – Staff Governor – Nursing and Midwifery

Awaiting Bio

   

Harley Malpass-Davey – Staff Governor – Other      Healthcare Professionals

 Awaiting Bio

   

Vivek Panikkar – Staff Governor – Medical and Dental

 Awaiting Bio

   

Roz Pearson – Staff Governor – Non-Clinical

 Awaiting Bio

   

Alexis Johnson – Partner Governor

I am the CEO of Doncaster Deaf Trust and have dedicated over 25 years to specialist education and care. Throughout my career, I have worked with children and young people with complex health and care needs, collaborating closely with exceptional therapists and healthcare professionals.

As a passionate advocate for individuals with additional needs and the Deaf community, I am committed to ensuring greater inclusivity within healthcare services. I am particularly interested in supporting DBTH in enhancing accessibility and creating more employment opportunities for those with additional needs or who are Deaf.

 Louise Preston – Partner Governor

I work as a Senior Lecturer at the University of Sheffield and am pleased to have been asked to be the partner governor for the University. At Sheffield, my role spans teaching and research and leadership. I teach students on our Health Care Research Delivery Masters and our Master in Public Health, both of which contribute to NHS workforce development and also teach Medical Undergraduate students. My research spans healthcare service and delivery, working closely with policymakers and practitioners to review evidence to support change in the NHS and beyond. I hope that my skills and experience can contribute to the goals of DBTH.

 

Lynne Schuller – Partner Governor

 Awaiting Bio

Irfan Ahmed – Public Governor for Doncaster – Awaiting Image & Bio

Helen Batty – Partner Governor – Awaiting Image & Bio 

Phil Holmes – Partner Governor- Awaiting Image & Bio

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