NHS Grampian Charity has announced the appointment of three new members to its governing committee.
The charity is the official, legally-linked charity of NHS Grampian and is responsible for managing donations made by supporters to ensure they are used to provide benefit to staff and patients, to enhance services, and to provide support in communities across Grampian. It is the largest health charity in the North-east, and the fourth largest NHS charity fund in Scotland.
Dennis Robertson, Chair of NHS Grampian Charity Committee, says: “We are delighted to welcome Dr Colette Backwell, Helen Surgenor and Sian Mutch to the NHS Grampian Charity Committee.
“The charity is going through an exciting period of change as we implement our new strategic plan and continue to grow the support we provide to health and wellbeing initiatives, both within NHS Grampian and in the wider Grampian community.
“Colette, Helen and Sian have a wealth of knowledge and experience across a range of sectors, and we look forward to working alongside them and using their skills to help the charity continue to develop and deliver its vital work across the region.”
With a PhD in Biochemistry, Colette started her career as a research scientist then became a senior civil servant in the UK and Scottish Governments, before moving into the private sector. She held the post of Scotland Director of the Food and Drink Federation for several years before joining the third sector as Chief Executive of Clan Cancer Support.
Colette is currently a trustee of the University of Aberdeen, is former President of the Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce, and is a former Board member of Developing the Young Workforce, NE Scotland.
Colette says: “I am motivated to inspire, lead and develop organisations that make a positive contribution to society, and am excited by the opportunity to work with NHS Grampian Charity as it delivers its vision to promote and enhance healthcare and the welfare of patients in Grampian and the staff who support them.”
Helen has a background in marketing and fundraising, and worked as a Senior Research Engagement Manager for Cancer Research UK, before joining Queen’s University Belfast. Her role as Head of Health Fundraising included establishing a new Health Fundraising team and working closely with academic and clinical colleagues in the local hospitals and cancer research centre, as well as patients and their families. She then became an independent fundraising consultant and ICF certified career/executive coach, before taking on the interim Head of Development role at the University of Aberdeen.
Helen says: “I am looking forward to providing advice and guidance to NHS Grampian Charity as they launch their new strategy and engage donors on the journey to grow income for the charity, enabling the extension of the services and support they provide for the benefit of local patients and the wellbeing of the people of Grampian.”
Sian is currently Senior Corporate Communications Advisor at an Aberdeen-based energy company. She has worked in the energy sector since 2011 and is Chair of the charity’s UK CSR Committee, and leads its Charity of the Year and Community Fund programmes in the UK. She is also a member of the Institute of Internal Communications (IoIC).
Prior to working in the energy sector, Sian worked in marketing for VisitScotland Aberdeen and Grampian, and in account management for integrated creative agency Hampton. Sian says: “With over 15 years’ experience in marketing and communications across the public and private sectors, I hope to bring a different perspective to the committee. Having lived in the North-east of Scotland all my life and now with a young family, the future of healthcare in Grampian is important to me. That’s why I’m delighted to get the opportunity to support the charity in its mission to enhance the health of the people of Grampian.