Louise Fish, director of communications and engagement
Louise joined the NHS Confederation in September 2009 from public affairs consultancy Hanover, where she worked for a range of private and public sector healthcare clients while completing a Masters in Business Administration. Louise was previously Communications Director at the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), worked as a consultant at top-20 communications consultancy Fishburn Hedges, and acted up as Chief Executive while leading on press and campaigns for a small patient-led charity called Action for ME. Louise's first job after leaving university was as Communications Assistant for the Liberal Democrats before, during and after the 1997 General Election campaign.
Sheila McKenzie, director of finance and resources
Sheila has been with the NHS Confederation since February 2009, Sheila was previously the Director of Finance for Affinity Trust, a charity that supports people with learning difficulties across the UK. Her directorship also included responsibility for IT, property and facilities management.
Sheila is a Chartered Accountant who qualified after training in the London Office of Arthur Young (now known as Ernst and Young). Sheila also has a degree in Economics and a Diploma in Charity Finance.
Karen Charman, director of business development
Karen Charman was appointed NHS Confederation director of business development in October 2011, having previously acted up as Chief Operating Officer.
Prior to this, Karen was Head of Employment Services for NHS Employers, leading and and directing the work of the employment services function incorporating workforce planning, recruitment and retention, healthy work and wellbeing, modernising health professions and employment standards
Karen joined NHS Employers from Hinchingbrooke Healthcare NHS trust where she was acting deputy chief executive and director of performance.
Karen is also as a registered nurse and has worked as a full time officer working regionally and nationally for the Royal College of Nursing.
Heather Moorhead, director, Northern Ireland Confederation for Health and Social Care
Heather joined us from the Northern Ireland Local Government Association (a membership body) where she was the Chief Executive responsible for setting the strategic direction of the organisation to support and facilitate local government improvement and modernisation.
Previous to this Heather was Director of the Sustainable Northern Ireland Programme where she was responsible for developing the organisation which provided advice and guidance to government departments on sustainable development issues.
Heather’s earlier career was spent in the field of Environmental Health and she held positions across various specialism’s including Health and Safety, Consumer Protection, Training and Health Promotion.
Heather is a member of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and the NI Chief Executives Forum.