At Livewell South West Community Interest Company we have a robust governance structure in place which enables us to achieve the goals we set for ourselves in our three-year strategy. It means we can deliver the services we are paid to provide in a more effective and efficient way, while fulfilling our social commitments to support people in the communities we serve.
Our Board
This is led by our chair, Dr Karen Cook. The directors of Livewell Southwest are board members, along with five non-executive directors. They aren’t members of the executive team, like the other directors, but they bring an independent oversight and play an important role in shaping the strategy and policies of the organisation.
The board meets once a month.
Dr Karen Cook
Chair
Karen has been with the Livewell Board since 2018, initially as a non-executive director, before being appointed as Chair in 2022. She has extensive senior leadership experience having previously been Deputy Vice Chancellor at Marjon University, Deputy Principal in two further education colleges and Chief Finance and Operating Officer in a large school academy trust, after initially working in the private sector.
She has a Doctorate from Exeter University, which focussed on organisational identity and change, a Post Graduate Diploma (distn) in Coaching and Mentoring and is a qualified Chartered Management Accountant.
In her career she has been responsible for strategy development, and the senior leadership of human resources and organisation development, financial planning and control, estates, marketing and IT. She is passionate about the impact of public services on society, including health outcomes and tackling societal inequalities, and ensuring that the workforce is developed and nurtured through compassionate leadership.
As Chair, Karen represents Livewell Southwest with key external partners, including the Integrated Care Board (Devon ICB), Healthy Lives Partnership (University Hospitals Plymouth) and the local authority.
Annette Benny
Non-Executive Director
Annette joined Livewell Southwest as a Non-Executive Director in September 2018, having previously working as the Director of Corporate Affairs at Devon’s Clinical Commissioning Groups.
Annette joined the NHS as a state-registered Podiatrist in 1988 and her extensive career has seen her hold roles in operational management, leading capital projects, commissioning and performance management in both the NHS and Department of Health.
She helped set up NEW Devon CCG before leading a varied portfolio comprising contracting, business intelligence, information technology, referral management, human resources and organisational development.
Annette has led a number of major change programmes including the roll out of Choice, Choose and Book across Devon and Cornwall, and the redesign of the Devon-wide Referral Management Service.
She served as Director of Delt until January 2018, a company she co-founded between the CCG and Plymouth City Council to provide quality IT service and jobs for the city.
Annette holds the Performance Portfolio as part of her role as Non-Executive Director at Livewell Southwest.
Jerry Clough
Non-Executive Director
Jerry brings nearly two decades of senior leadership experience within the NHS, including board‑level roles in finance, operations, and as a Chief Executive. His career has been marked by a strong focus on integration, improvement, and system-wide collaboration.
After relocating from the north of England, Jerry became the Managing Director for Western Devon within NEW Devon Clinical Commissioning Group, where he led significant work to integrate health and local authority services across Plymouth.
Jerry has since worked extensively across the country as an independent consultant, supporting the development of health and social care systems. He is also a trained Executive Coach, working with individuals, organisations, and Boards to strengthen leadership and performance.
He spent seven years at UnitedHealth Group, initially leading the development of population management tools to identify individuals with the greatest care needs. He later headed the organisation’s NHS‑facing business following his leadership of the successful acquisition of EMIS, the UK’s leading primary care health records system.
Jerry currently serves as Chief Executive of Transform MS CIC, a measurement‑science and multiple‑sclerosis–focused organisation that uses research analytics and patient‑reported outcomes to improve services and treatment pathways.
Juliet Simmons
Non-Executive Director
Juliet joined Livewell Southwest as a Non-Executive Director in January 2022.
Juliet started her working life training as a nurse before moving to work in community development in South London. Moving to Plymouth in 1985, she completed a degree in Social Policy and Administration and a professional diploma in Community Work and went on to work in the voluntary sector in Plymouth for 14 years. She was the first Director of Plymouth & Devon Racial Equality Council and responsible for establishing the Respect Festival as a key event in the City’s calendar.
Prior to joining Livewell, Juliet was Director of Equality and Diversity for Devon and Cornwall Police where she led on the integration of equality and diversity into all aspects of policing activity, service delivery, and organisational leadership and management. She was seconded to work nationally and led the development and implementation of the national Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Strategy for the Police Service.
Juliet is deeply committed to tackling inequality and disadvantage and ensuring that the lived experience of service users and communities is able to influence the development of public services.
Jacqui Lyttle
Non Executive Director
An accountant by profession, Jacqui worked in the manufacturing industry, before joining the NHS in 1990. Jacqui held several very senior management and board level positions in provider and commissioning organisations before establishing her own health consultancy in 2008.
Jacqui has a wealth of knowledge and experience of commissioning, service development and payment by results and has a particular interest in process and service redesign. Jacqui has experience of working at a national and international level, including working with American and Swedish organisations on the introduction and implementation of transformational change programmes.
Jacqui now works with NHS organisations and the health science industry specialising in service improvement and redesign. Working with the health sciences industry and national bodies she provides insight and support to unravel the complexities of the NHS.
Jacqui lectures on the NHS for NHS England and is a regular contributor to national meetings on NHS reform.
Jacqui is an experienced board chair, trustee and mentor being:
- Chair of Age UK Torbay
- Executive committee member – Chronic Pain Policy Coalition
Jacqui loves to work with individuals and teams to be the best they can be and is:
- Business mentor on the IMPACT Torbay programme
- Certified Insights Discovery Practitioner
- Lecturer for future clinical leaders for NHS England
Andy Honey
Non Executive Director
Originating from Plymouth, Andy began his career as a Marine Engineer Officer in the Merchant Navy before building an extensive career in commerce, industry, and the public sector. He has worked with some of the largest global corporations, including ExxonMobil, Conoco, Tesco, M&S, Diageo, and MyTravel. He has also founded and led several small businesses focused on smart, sustainable and low-carbon solutions.
Andy has experience across a wide range of sectors, including higher education, food manufacturing, defence, finance, travel and tourism, construction, retail, engineering, small and medium-size enterprises (SME), utilities, energy, seafaring and oil and gas exploration.
He has worked with organisations ranging from global industry leaders to SMEs and has held roles in the public, private, and third sectors, including non-executive positions with several charities. He currently serves as a Governor at Arts University Plymouth and sits on the Finance & Estates Committee.
He holds an MBA from Lancaster University and a BA in Systems from the Open University. He is a Chartered Director and a Fellow of the Institute of Directors.
Andy is a strong advocate for education and lifelong learning. He is passionate about developing people, fostering innovation, and delivering strategic value through effective governance and leadership.
Michelle Thomas
Chief Executive
Michelle was appointed as Chief Executive of Livewell Southwest on 1 April 2022.
A nurse by background, Michelle’s career began in 1986 when she first came to Plymouth to complete her nurse training and gained a healthcare degree in 1994.
Her nursing career includes working across acute and community hospitals, managing community teams and working with the University of Plymouth to support people back into practise. She has also gained a post graduate qualification in Human Resource and Development.
Michelle has always believed in providing health and social care in the right place, as close to home as possible. She is also committed to providing a workforce that is supported to do the right thing now and developing a workforce fit for the future.
As Chief Executive Officer, she has driven the organisation to provide high quality innovative care across physical, mental health and social care for both children and adults within Plymouth, South Hams and West Devon. This has also included working in partnership with Primary Care and the Healthy Lives Partnership with University Hospitals Plymouth.
Michelle believes in Social Enterprise, Livewell Southwest as a Community Interest Community and sees the organisation as an integral partner for the NHS and local authorities across Devon, supporting the strategic direction of all services and organisations as they go forward.
Geoff Baines
Deputy Chief Executive, Director of Transformation, and CQC Registered Manager
Geoff is a qualified Social Worker by background and has worked in health and social care services for more than 30 years. His roles have varied from direct care to commissioning and strategic leadership, both at a regional and national level.
Geoff has extensive safety and quality experience and became Livewell Southwest’s Director of Professional Practice, Safety and Quality in September 2013 and in addition Deputy Chief Executive in 2020. In 2025, Geoff was appointed as Director of Transformation, responsible for ensuring our services change safely and appropriately to suit the needs of the people we care for. Prior to his time at Livewell, Geoff was Chair of the National Strategic Health Authority Leads for learning disability and safeguarding developments and was Head of Patient Experience across the south region of NHS England.
As well as his Director role at Livewell, Geoff is also a Director of the Plymouth Dental Company and a Trustee of the Livewell Foundation Charity that provides grants to voluntary organisations supporting health and wellbeing for local people in Plymouth South Hams and West Devon. Geoff has an Honours degree in Social Policy and a further Masters Degree in Business Administration from Plymouth University.
Trish Cooper
Acting Director of Safety and Quality
Bio coming soon…
Katherine Chilcott
Director of Finance
As director of finance Katherine is responsible for providing financial advice and support to help senior executives make key decisions. She drives the financial planning of the organisation by analysing its performance and risks.
Dawn Slater
Director of People and Professionalism
Dawn began her nursing career in 1986 in Wales, before qualifying as a mental health nurse in 1989.
Dawn is passionate about ensuring people receive the highest standards of care while under the care of Livewell Southwest.
During her time at Livewell, Dawn has championed the benefits of high professional standards and development for people, encouraging staff to reach their full potential. She believes that all people should be treated with compassion, fairness and supported to be the best they can be.
As part of her remit, she holds executive responsibility as the Executive lead for Nursing and Allied Health Professionals, Human Resources, Training and Development and Infection Prevention and Control.
Dr Soni Bhate
Chief Medical Officer
Dr Soni Bhate became the Chief Medical Officer for Livewell Southwest in December 2023.
Soni has been working as a Consultant Psychiatrist since 2008, but has been working within the NHS and healthcare systems since qualifying in London in 1992. Soni brings experience to the role from various health care providers throughout the UK and New Zealand.
Throughout her career Soni has built up vast experience in the management of medical staff, implementation of local and national policies and the training and education of healthcare staff. Soni is also the executive lead for research and is Livewell’s Caldicott Guardian and Chief Clinical Information Officer.
Ian Lightley
Chief Operating Officer
Ian qualified as a social worker in 2006, has practised as an Approved Mental Health Professional, and remains registered with Social Worker England as a social worker. He has held responsibility for a wide range of community services, including adult social care and adult safeguarding, children’s services, mental health services and older adults.
As Chief Operating Officer, Ian holds executive responsibility for the delivery of Livewell’s integrated community health and social care services, including services delivered to children, young people and families.
Register of Interests
Please click here to view the Register of Interests for Livewell Southwest’s Board members.