Meet our new Committee members

Our new Committee members come from across the public, private and third sectors. They bring a wealth of experience in health, social care, local government, consumer rights and digital engagement.

Lee Adams

Lee is the Independent Chair of the Sheffield Equality Network and has a strong background in community development and public health, with a career spanning 40 years in education, the NHS and local government.

Lee has been a senior manager for much of her career, including being CEO of a large District Council, Deputy CEO of Sheffield City Council and Director of Public Health in Leeds. She was also the National Chair for the Society of Health Education and Promotion Specialists, Vice Chair of the Public Health Alliance, and has been a Trustee for two domestic violence charities in Sheffield.

Philip Huggon

Philip is Chair for the NHS Transformation Unit in Manchester. He advises the NHS about service change in Greater Manchester and the North West.

He is also involved as Chair or Non-Executive Director at several other organisations, including Liverpool Women’s Hospital, RCU and the Potato Council. Philip’s area of expertise is marketing and organisational transformation.

Amy Kroviak

Amy has worked in communications for over 20 years, developing integrated communications strategies for leading global brands as well as multinational organisations and national associations.

She has extensive experience in profile raising and running campaigns that promote awareness of social and economic issues. She has led successful campaigns for charities, such as the Royal National Institute for Deaf People, and managed the communications for companies including Southern Cross Healthcare.

Andrew McCulloch

Andrew is a freelance consultant in health and social care policy and charity governance. He was previously Chief Executive of the Picker Institute Europe, an independent European health and social care charity.

He has Board level experience in both the voluntary and public sector, including as the Chair of Mental Health Media, a small communications charity which promoted the patient’s voice in mental health services. Andrew has contributed to many national and international publications, including The Health Service Journal and Mental Health Review Journal.

Danielle Oum

Chair of Healthwatch Birmingham, Danielle has a wealth of experience in designing, commissioning and leading services, building teams, and developing staff.

She is also Chair for Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust and Optima-Family Housing, and is a Non-Executive Director for WM Housing. Previously Danielle designed and led the Learning Hub with University Hospital Birmingham, engaging over 2,000 unemployed people and employers in healthcare and construction opportunities across the West Midlands.

Helen Parker

Until recently Helen was Deputy CEO of Which? and, before that, held the roles of Policy Director and Editorial Director.

She has also served on the Fundraising Standards Board, and has a strong background in championing people’s rights. As well as experience in communications, consumer research and policy, Helen has played a key role in delivering digital content and solutions which meet people’s needs. She is also a non-executive Director of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.

Ruchir Rodrigues

Ruchir is a senior business leader with over 20 years’ experience in the digital industry and currently serves as the Head of Digital for Barclays Bank. He has won several awards for his work in digital transformation and holds patents for product and business innovation.

Ruchir is very well versed in digital and data technology and its importance in engaging with people. He has previously served on both UK and US boards.

Jane Mordue, Chair of Healthwatch England, said:

“I am delighted to announce the arrival of our new committee members. Together with their passion and commitment, they bring a range of diverse experience which complements the expertise we already have, and will help us deliver our strategy.

“The health and social care sector faces a period of unprecedented change and the insight gathered by Healthwatch has never been more important. I am confident the new committee members will help lead Healthwatch forwards.

“Building on the hard work and dedication of existing committee members, we want to ensure that the voices of patients, care providers and the public are not just listened to, but used to help shape health and social care services across England.

“I would also like to thank the committee members who have recently completed their terms of office, and those who are shortly to do so, for their huge contributions towards the Healthwatch network.”