Our Team | Salford Primary Care Together

No matter how large or small the role in our company, our staff are contributing to the larger story in Salford. We believe that getting the big picture right – our vision – is key to our success, and when our entire team embraces that type of attitude, incredible things happen.

Our Board is responsible for setting the direction of the organisation, developing strategic plans, embedding values and engaging with our stakeholders . The Board brings independence and oversight by drawing together extensive experience from a range of sectors. In line with many businesses trading as social enterprises and reflecting best practice, our Board includes independent Non-Executive Directors. These are people who do not work full-time at the organisation but who work alongside our Executive Directors to contribute their skills and experience to the company.

A wide range of other teams and colleagues across Salford Primary Care Together are pivotal in helping the organisation run smoothly and achieve our objectives.

You can find out more about some of our fabulous team members, including our Board Members, below.

Liz Cross, Chair, Board Member

With over 25 years in leadership and governance roles, Liz brings substantial executive, non-executive and consulting experience from a wide range of sectors and industries. In 1996, Liz set up The Connectives, a values based consultancy practice, that works with private, public, social enterprises and voluntary/charitable organisations. She is Chair of the Blackburne House Group, Chair and one of the founding members of Coaching Inside and Out and a school governor in Moss Side, Manchester.
Lance Gardner, MBE, Chief Executive, Board Member

Lance is a nurse by background and has 15 years’ experience of social enterprise. In 2000, he was awarded an MBE for services to primary care nursing. Lance specialises in governance and is an advisor to the government on public sector mutuals and social enterprise. He has lead four successful care related businesses, including the first nurse-led primary care practice in Salford. His other previous posts include Chief Executive of Care Plus Group and Executive Lead for Older People at Locala. During 2017 he was an independent management consultant working mainly in housing and care of older people. Prior to joining Salford Primary Care Together, Lance was Clinical Director and Chair of Be Caring.
Alan Kershaw, Chief Finance Officer, Board Member

Alan is a proven and experienced Chief Finance Officer with over 25 years' cross functional experience across the services and manufacturing sectors. With a focus on outcomes, integrity, professionalism and strong communication, Alan has led people in a range of organisations, from listed to charitable, in delivering results through periods of transformational change.
Peta Stross, Chief Operating Officer, Board Member

Peta is a collaborative, compassionate and experienced leader of teams of people delivering healthcare services across the North West. Practically orientated, with an outcome focus, and substantial experience in operational and transformational delivery, as well as organisational and strategy development, Peta is committed to the improvement of health and care outcomes for all.
Helena Leyden, Non-Executive Director, Board Member

Helena qualified as a Nurse in 1980 and then as a District Nurse & Practical Work Teacher spending much of her early years in clinical practice as a District Nurse practitioner and Manager. She has worked in a variety of settings in community and primary care provision within public and third sector organisations in London, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and most recently Liverpool where she was Director of Nursing and Quality for a Social Enterprise Company delivering 24 hours primary care. She has served as vice chair of a Local Safeguarding Board and is passionate about good governance and the experience of patients and staff. She is a Foundation Governor and Vice Chair of a Sixth Form College in Bury and also volunteers as a Safeguarding Lead for a local Salford Diocese church.
Ray Harding, Non-Executive Director, Board Member

Ray has spent many years in general and financial management in a number of countries. He has worked in the manufacturing sector as well as higher education and now holds board positions in health and housing. A Chartered Accountant, he is currently a Non- Executive Director of North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust and Futures Housing Group. He also chairs Bishop Simeon Trust, a charity to help disadvantaged youth in South Africa, and serves on the International Advisory Board of the School of Business, Leicester University. Upon joining Salford Primary Care Together, he returned to his Greater Manchester roots, having been born in Davyhulme and brought up in Sale.
Dr Brian Hope, Non-Executive Director, Board Member

Brian is a GP at Mosslands Medical Practice in Irlam. Salford has benefited from over 27 years’ worth of Brian’s expertise. He has a strong portfolio of working at board level in a variety of previous roles including as Local Medical Committee secretary, Primary Care Group chair, Professional Executive Committee chair and Medical Director of Salford Primary Care Trust.