Lionel Joyce Chair of the Board Expand Lionel is known for being a leading voice, thought-leader and visionary in the healthcare sector. He is an experienced Trustee, NED and Chair with experience both regionally and nationally. He was made an OBE in 1998 and CBE in 2021 for contributions towards legal services and health and wellbeing respectively. A former CEO of Newcastle City Heath NHS Trust, Lionel had a career with the NHS spanning 27 years and was a co-founder of Mental Health Concern. Lionel stated “I’d finally, after many, many years of trying, eased into full time retirement when I got a surprise call from the board at DM asking me have a think about the chair post. So, I thought about it for ten minutes then decided ‘I absolutely have to do this’ and here I am, back behind a virtual desk and about to start preparing Dementia Matters for the next stage in its growth journey."
Lee Ali Lee Ali, Vice Chair Expand I have more than 15 years’ international business and finance experience, gained via a broad range of industries in the manufacturing and service sectors, ranging from multinational FMCG PLC companies, through to owner managed business, and private equity owned investment businesses. My experiences to date includes; building global and local financial partnerships with commercial and operational teams, multinational and multi-site operations, within a matrix organisational structure, purchasing and IT management, pensions scheme leadership (DB & DC), UK/BE/US GAAP and multinational tax strategy, treasury management, acquisitions, mergers and divestments, and capital financing, I have strong cross functional leadership competencies, by leading European; Finance, Supply-Chain and IT functions in my current role, entwined with the ability to engage individuals and teams on a both a local and global basis, to execute multiple business and operational projects, ensuring timely delivery to enhance shareholder value, while ensuing team success and development. Lee joined Dementia Matters as a Trustee in 2018.
Russell Ward Russell Ward, Trustee and Chair of the Care & People Sub-Committee Expand A qualified solicitor, Russell joined Ward Hadaway in Newcastle in 2004 and was promoted to Partner in 2015. Russell specialises in commercial litigation, including work in property litigation, mortgage fraud and professional negligence as part of a 12 month secondment to Northern Rock plc and subsequently UK Asset Resolution plc. Since the end of 2013, Russell has split his time between Ward Hadaway’s offices in Leeds and Newcastle, acting as de facto head of the commercial litigation team in Leeds. Russell joined Dementia Matters as a Trustee in 2016, is a member of the Risk Committee and Chair of Care & Colleagues Committee.
Paul Bell Paul Bell, Trustee and Chair of the Risk Committee Expand A qualified solicitor, Paul is Partner and Head of Corporate and Commercial Law at Short, Richardson & Forth in Newcastle. Paul’s work covers advising on mergers and acquisitions, private equity, corporate finance, corporate governance (public and private sector) and corporate disputes. Paul has also advised charities and social enterprises. In addition to his professional work, Paul was a director and trustee of the Rift Valley Newcastle Justice Project that provided charitable assistance to children in Nakuru in Kenya. Paul joined Dementia Matters as a Trustee in 2016 and is the Chair of the Risk Committee.
Ros Dougal Ros Dougal, Trustee Expand HR Director and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development Ros has worked for the last 20 years in the North East across a broad range of organisations; private and public sectors, venture capital funded and mutual partnerships providing strategic and operational HR advice and guidance at board/senior team level. Ros joined the Board of Trustees in 2017 motivated by her involvement with the charity through the Cranfiled Trust and her personal experience of Dementia within her family. She became involved with Dementia Matters because the nature of the care, advice and support it provides to those suffering from dementia and their carers which makes such a huge difference to the quality of life for all involved.
Michelle Donnan Michelle Donnan, Trustee and Chair of the Finance & Audit Committee Expand A Fellow Chartered Accountant, Michelle completed her professional training with an independent local firm, UNW LLP, and has since successfully lead finance teams in both the private and charitable sectors. Having personal experience of caring for a parent with early-onset dementia, Michelle became interested in supporting Dementia Matters on being impressed by the pioneering and specialist training, advice and care services the charity provides in the North East. Michelle joined Dementia Matters as a Trustee in 2019, and is Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee and Project Committee.
David Lovenbury David Lovenbury, Trustee Expand A graduate of Newcastle University, David joined the Board of Dementia Matters in 2019. He enjoyed a long career in the recruitment and staffing space before joining JUMP, a creative and digital agency in January 2020. David’s career has been mainly focussed around sales, marketing and business development. Beyond work and Dementia Matters, David is a director and Trustee of NE Youth, a charity that focusses on improving the lives of young people in the North East and outside work fund-raising, travel, music, craft ale, clothes and sport dominate his spare time.