Current Non-Executive Directors (NEDs) Alison Cottrell and Deborah Wheeler will be commencing the role from 1 November 2025. Alison will be Vice-Chair for Bedfordshire and Luton, while Deborah will serve as Vice-Chair for East London.
Alison joined the Trust Board on 1 April 2024. She was the founding CEO of the Financial Services Culture Board (FSCB), a not-for-profit body established in the wake of the global financial crisis to help banks and others manage workplace culture and share learning and good practice. She is currently a NED at LINK Scheme Ltd, the body that manages the UK’s main cash machine network, as well as a Trustee of Phoenix Futures, a charity that helps individuals, families and communities recover from drug and alcohol problems.
Deborah joined ELFT in January 2021 and previously served as the Vice-Chair for Bedfordshire and Luton. She is a Florence Nightingale Foundation Leadership Scholar, and received the Chief Nursing Officer’s Gold Award for lifetime achievement in 2019. In addition to ELFT, she is also a NED at North East London NHS Foundation Trust where she serves as the Trust’s Senior Independent Director.
Alison Cottrell said: “I am delighted to have been appointed as Vice-Chair for our Bedfordshire and Luton services. It has been a privilege serving on the Trust Board for the past year and a half, and I look forward to working closely with colleagues to continue our mission of providing high quality care across the region.”
Deborah Wheeler added: “I would like to thank our Council of Governors for approving my appointment as Vice-Chair for London. It has been a privilege to work closely with our Beds & Luton colleagues, and I will continue to strive for positive outcomes for all of our communities, including in East London.”
Current NEDs Aamir Ahmad and Anit Chandarana have completed their terms on the Trust Board, and Professor Sir Sam Everington will be leaving on 31 December 2025 at the end of his second term. The Trust wishes to give its thanks for their hard work and dedication to our service users, carers and staff.