News

Seashell's Chair of the Board of Directors, Gwen Carr, is to retire after completing her full term of 12 years within the Trust and will be replaced by Dr Robina Shah MBE.

Gwen, who has been Chair since 2014, this week stepped down from her post and handed the reins to Dr Shah, a chartered consultant psychologist and senior lecturer at Manchester Medical School, University of Manchester.

Nic Gower, Director, Chair of the Audit Committee and Royal School Manchester Governor is also retiring from The Trust having served on the board for his full term of 12 years.

Gwen said of her departure: "It has been a true privilege to be part of Seashell for so many years and I am incredibly proud of our talented and committee team and the extraordinary children and young people who make up this very special community.

"We have achieved great progress and there are more exciting times ahead,. it is with great pride that I step down having completed my time at Seashell and hand the baton to Dr Shah.  I know she will work closely with Chief Executive and Principal Jolanta McCall to lead the Trust as we work to deliver the very best possible care and education for all of our children and young people."

And Nic added: "Seashell is an incredible place and it's been an honour to be part of the team that helps to support children and young people with very challenging and complex needs.  The past six months have seen us further strengthen the board of directors and we have an incredibly strong team to lead the organisation forward."

Chief Executive and Principal, Jolanta McCall said: "Both Gwen and Nic have made a huge contribution to the success of Seashell and they leave a strong legacy for the future.  We would all like to thank them both for their tireless work and wish them every success in the future.

Dr Shah took up her post at a meeting of the board yesterday.  She described her appointment as an exciting opportunity to further strengthen the legacy that Gwen and her colleagues have made to the lived experience of children and young people at the Trust.  She said: "I am delighted to accept the role of Chair and I very much look forward to working with the trust board, governors and staff in an organisation driven by values-based care that places at its core the lived experience of children, young people, carers and families."

As well as her senior lecturer role Dr Shah is also the Director of the Doubleday Centre for Patient Experience at Manchester Medical School.  She is an author and academic with a specialist interest in psychosocial medicine, patient safety, person-centred care, mentoring and leadership development.

Dr Shah holds a diverse career portfolio in health, social care, education and training with over twenty years' experience at board level including chair/non-executive roles and senior leadership roles with the Department of Health, the NHS, World Health Organisation, Ministry of Justice, General Medical Council, Health Education England, Royal College of General Practitioners, Royal Society of Medicine, NHS England National General Assembly,the FA Women's Football Board, FA Disability Football Committee and Manchester FA Board.  Robina is also UK chair, RCGP Patients and Carers Partnership Group.

Civic and Honorary roles include: Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of General Practitioners, Past High Sheriff for the County of Greater Manchester (April 2018-April 2019), Deputy Lieutenant for the County since 2006 and Chief Ambassador for Bridge GM and Greater Manchester Mayor, Adny Burnham's Meet Your Future Campaign.