OPERATIONS BOARD

Dawn Hewitt – CEO

As CEO of CHUMS Social Enterprise, Dawn has developed the service into a regional service, growing from 11 staff to 90, and now receives almost 4000 referrals per year across its 9 services supporting children and young people’s mental health and emotional wellbeing.

Following 11 years as a manager in the NHS, Dawn led CHUMS Child Bereavement Service through the Department of Health’s ‘Right to Request’ programme to become a Social Enterprise in 2011. Her focus necessarily changed from clinical delivery to business development and management and in 2007 she was instrumental in setting up the charity ’Friends of CHUMS’ to raise money to set up and deliver a Trauma Service. CHUMS Charity now raises funds for five services including some adult services.

Dawn trained as an RGN and then as a District Nurse and has an MSc in Clinical and Organisational Leadership. She has experience and qualifications in management, reflective practice, counselling and bereavement.

Debbie Robson – Operations Director

Debbie is the Operations Director for CHUMS and is responsible for the effective delivery and development of all clinical services.  Debbie’s role is very varied, and she supports all managers within the team to ensure that quality and evidence-based practice is maintained.  Debbie is a proactive and creative member of the Operations Board.

Debbie has a long history of managing within an NHS setting and has been involved with CHUMS for many years, initially as a volunteer within the Bereavement Service and in a management role for the last 8 years.  Debbie has trained in counselling and takes the lead on change management internally.

Denise Hogman – Head of Quality, Caldicott Guardian and Employee Ownership Lead

Dee worked within the NHS for 18 years in a variety of roles including PA to the CEO of a Primary Care Trust and Project Co-ordinator for a diagnostic endoscopy service.  Dee joined CHUMS in January 2015 originally as an Administrator/Admin Manager and enjoyed supporting the fundraising team as a volunteer.  The role has now developed to incorporate information governance, implementing the QNCC quality standards and working closely with the Staff Partnership Forum to develop employee ownership within CHUMS.

Jo Tredgett – Head of HR

Jo joined CHUMS CIC in May 2020, working part-time as Head of HR.  She also works part-time as HR Manager at Willow Foundation, a small national charity based in Hertfordshire.  Jo has spent more than 20 years working in HR, having previously held a variety of HR roles in a large multinational organisation, before moving in to the third sector.  Jo is a chartered member of the CIPD.

Umar Sabat – Data Protection Expert

Umar began his career in the NHS and worked his way through the ranks of Information Governance. He is a passionate and enthusiastic Data Protection professional who provides support to several NHS and private healthcare organisations.  Umar also has several international appointments and is recognised for his work within research.

Gill Kendall – PA to CEO and HR Support

Gill worked in the NHS as a PA in Children’s Services in Luton for ten years prior to joining CHUMS in October 2012, initially as PA to the CEO. Since then, whilst maintaining the PA role, Gill has taken on the additional role of HR Support and become an active member of the Operations Board.