MEET THE BOARD
Liz Cross
CHAIR
Liz Cross (BSc (Hons), MBA, MBPS) has been Chair of Blackburne House Group since 2011 and has been actively involved in many aspects of its work and development since 1992.
Liz has worked with many over the years to advance women’s health, education, development and wellbeing.
Maureen Mellor
VICE CHAIR
Maureen has been involved in education throughout her entire professional life. Prior to her retirement in 2011, Maureen was the Principal of a large - and successful - further education college. Maureen is also a Governor of a secondary school, Chair of Governors of a primary school and an Advisor to a community dance company.
Annette Hennessy
TRUSTEE
Annette joined the probation service in 1981 and has had a fascinating and rewarding career, working across the North West of England. In April 2012 she became the CEO of the Merseyside Probation Trust and latterly the Merseyside Community Rehabilitation Company (CRC), leading the organisation from public to private ownership.
Therese Patten
TRUSTEE
Therese is the Associate Director of Strategic Development and Partnership at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, leading on the delivery of strategic objectives. She has worked in the NHS, private health and international aid sectors with more than 20 years experience in healthcare. Therese is Co-Chair of the UK International Healthcare Management Association.
Jude Robinson
TRUSTEE
Jude is a Professor and social anthropologist researching in the field of critical public health and works at the University of Liverpool, in the Department of Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology. She has a strong interest in the health and wellbeing of women with young children; women and families; teenaged girls; and women and ageing across the life course.
Sally-Anne Watkiss
TRUSTEE
Sally-Anne is a Chartered Certified Accountant with over 25 years' experience. Her corporate background is mainly in leading large finance teams and delivering large change programmes. From 2014 to 2016 she was a Non-executive Director at Liverpool Community Health Trust and is now a director of South Liverpool Homes Regeneration and Homebaked community bakery.
Lorna Rogers
TRUSTEE
Lorna is a new board member and has over 15 years of experience working in the public sector, helping improve people’s lives. She was born and raised in Liverpool and witnessed firsthand the positive impact Blackburne House had on her mother when she returned to education in her late 30’s, where she gained new skills, confidence and a network of friends.