MLCSU - Key Persons
Adam is responsible for leading our People Services directorate and inspiring a team of people professionals to deliver modern and future-focussed people services including human resources, equality diversity and inclusion, organisational development and workforce transformation.
Adam's career is marked by his strategic vision and ability to drive impactful initiatives and change. Joining the NHS in 2008 Adam has worked with the commissioning support units since their inception and has led significant change and transformation programmes enabling him to demonstrate his commitment to innovation and excellence.
As our Director of People, Adam serves on the NHS Midlands and Lancashire (ML) Board. As the strategic lead for people he champions the people agenda, demonstrating his and passion and determination to develop a supportive and inclusive workplace that embraces diversity.
Adam also leads the evolution of people services and solutions to our partners including HR consultancy, business enabling services and workforce transformation support. His leadership in developing these has positioned NHS ML as a responsive and forward-thinking organisation that is committed to collaboration.
With a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, Adam is proud to be the executive sponsor for our LGBTQ+ Staff Network, advocating for a more inclusive workplace. Recognising the importance of partnership working, Adam is Chair of our Staff Partnership Forum, working with trade union colleagues to improve staff experience and enable genuine engagement.
Adam's professional qualifications include being a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development as well as holding a Masters in Personnel and Development and Bachelor of Science in e-Business.
Job Titles:
- Director of Delivery for the UK at NHS ML
- Director of Delivery, UK
- Strategic Advisor
Clare Thomason is our Director of Delivery for the UK at NHS ML and serves on the NHS ML's board. As the strategic lead for the Delivery Directorate, she oversees several operational and corporate services including Contract Management, Referral Management, the Programme Team, Communications and Engagement, The Inclusion Unit, and Commercial Intelligence.
In her role, Clare acts as a solutions architect, leading innovative and impactful work to direct the progress of the delivery directorate and the broader organisation. She is instrumental in driving client engagement, nurturing business development, and building robust partnerships, establishing system-wide credibility with managers, health professionals, and clinicians.
Joining NHS ML nearly six years ago, Clare came from a directorial position at a national private-sector health consultancy. She has significantly enhanced partnerships between NHS ML, NHS England (NHSE), integrated care boards (ICBs), and the broader market. Clare's strategic advisory work with integrated care system/integrated care board (ICS/ICB) system leads and her initiatives in system and function redesign have expanded opportunities for NHS ML services, safeguarded core income, and established the NHS ML as a preferred system support partner.
With a background that spans clinical, academic, commissioning, and management consultancy roles, Clare brings over 24 years of experience in working with and for NHS organisations. She is committed to delivering high-quality services for patients and has a profound interest in self-development, service enhancement, and performance improvement.
Her career highlights include leading several national programs, improvement and redesign projects, and engaging in primary care, urgent care, acute and community contracting, as well as operational and strategic planning. She played a pivotal role in the authorisation of clinical commissioning groups and has worked closely with NHS commissioners, providers, and regulatory bodies, as well as emerging integrated care systems and merging acute trusts. Her tenure also includes a stint with a specialist NHSE improvement team.
Beyond her professional commitments, Clare serves as a Strategic Advisor for a registered charity in Greater Manchester, focusing on improving the homes and lives of older and disabled people.
Job Titles:
- Director of Nursing and Clinical Services
Liz possesses extensive experience in emergency and urgent care through senior nursing leadership and operational roles within the acute sector. Before her current position, she served as the Director of Nursing for a leading national provider, overseeing clinical services such as 111, out-of-hours GP service provision, and urgent treatment centres. With a robust background in governance, Liz has spearheaded numerous initiatives aimed at enhancing patient care quality and safety. She is fervently committed to using data and information to engage in meaningful discussions among clinicians and health service managers, aiming to significantly improve patient pathways, experiences, and outcomes.
Liz has led operational teams for medicine and emergency care across a large dual-site acute trust. She has both designed and led multiple initiatives to promote admissions avoidance, such as implementing seven-day services for frailty assessment, the implementation of a single point of access for emergency referrals, and the development of medical ambulatory services. As an inspiring and supportive leader, Liz aims to always inspire her colleagues and wider stakeholders to do the same.
Job Titles:
- Deputy Managing Director
- Leader
Janet Budd is an accomplished leader and strategic thinker serving as the Deputy Managing Director at NHS ML. With a keen focus on delivering value to customers amidst the evolving landscape of the NHS, Janet plays a crucial role in shaping NHS ML's future strategy.
Having joined NHS ML in 2021, Janet also holds the position of Director of the Transformation Unit, further contributing to NHS ML's commitment to driving positive change and innovation.
Janet brings a wealth of leadership experience and an impressive track record in the health sector, both as a consultant and in various leadership roles within the NHS. Her expertise and insights continue to fuel NHS ML's growth and success.
In recognition of her exceptional contributions, Janet assumed the role of Deputy Managing Director at NHS ML in Spring 2023. Her visionary approach and dedication to excellence make her an invaluable asset to the organisation.
Job Titles:
- Non Executive Director
- Interim Finance Director
Lyn is responsible for our corporate and financial services. She also has organisation-wide lead responsibility for NHS Midlands and Lancashire's (NHS ML's) Procurement, Estates and Resilience service. Lyn has a diverse background having worked in senior roles in public, third and private sector with 15 years' experience working in healthcare. She brings a relentless focus on service delivery and is constantly looking to improve services for everyone.
Joining NHS ML in 2013 shortly after its inception, Lyn came from a senior position in a third-sector organisation which provided substance misuse, mental health and learning disability services. She has demonstrated strong strategic leadership, extensive experience of strategic financial planning and a focus on ensuring the best value.
Lyn works collaboratively across health economies and is helping to broker conversations between partners to achieve system goals and objective s.
She plays an active role in the One NHS Finance network sitting on the national health and wellbeing steering group and acting as an assessor for the national accreditation scheme. She believes passionately in empowering people to thrive and grow to achieve their potential.
In addition to her role with NHS ML, Lyn serves as a Non Executive Director for a not-for-profit provider of urgent medical and community services to deliver high-quality, safe services across Greater Manchester.
Job Titles:
- Managing Director of Commissioning Support Units
- Managing Director of CSUs
- Role of Managing Director of All Four Commissioning Support Units
Michael was appointed to the role of Managing Director of all four Commissioning Support Units (CSU) in April 2024.
He is an experienced leader of business service organisations in the commercial sector and the NHS and has a track record in strategy development, service management and business turnaround. Michael champions a customer-centric approach, driving higher quality and standardised operations, and is strongly invested in consultative service provision.
"CSUs are full of talented people and I am immensely proud to be a part of it and the NHS, providing insight, innovation and best practice sharing to meet the current and future needs of our partners."
Job Titles:
- Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Board Advisor
Qadeer Kiani has brought a breadth of experience to NHS ML - with a social housing background, he has run his own successful management consultancy for more than 15 years. For the past nine years he has been the chair of Arhag Housing Association, during which time he led a major programme of work bringing together education, employment, health and housing services to support migrants and refugees. In 2019, Qadeer was awarded an OBE for services to migrants and refugees.
Qadeer chairs the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Board Sub Group -providing advice and feedback on EDI. In addition, he works closely with our internal staff networks and Associate Director of Culture to ensure our approach and work is making a difference.