Elizabeth Learoyd
Managing Director
Elizabeth is responsible for leadership of the organisation and delivers the organisation's strategy, which is approved by the board. Elizabeth joined ECS as Advocacy Manager in 2014 and moved to the role of Executive Director in 2018, before her appointment as Managing Director in December 2019. Having studied Law with European Legal Studies at the University of Hull, and Utrecht University in the Netherlands, Elizabeth qualified as a solicitor in 2011, working in the fields of prison law and crime, before moving into the field of legal regulation and alternative dispute resolution.
As a passionate advocate for people’s rights and community voice, Elizabeth is committed to ensuring the voices of those who use public services are at the forefront of service design and delivery.
Simon Fogell
Chief Executive
Simon Fogell has been running Healthwatch services for over 7 years building on his passion to give power to peoples voices. This was through the foundations to the belief that people should be central to services that the statutory organisations plan and provide - gained through 25 years experience in local government ranging from management in children’s residential homes to Policy Manager for both children’s and adult social care. Simon led the communications and engagement for the introduction of personalisation within adult social care before becoming the Policy and Strategy Manager for the local authority. Simon was also the lead for the DWPs Ageing Well programme over several years as well as sitting on the Equality and Diversity Task Force for over ten years. Simon passion was honed with responsibility for the Corporate Engagement team leading the council’s diversity forums. Simon was also the Chief Executives Department Safeguarding Lead for both children and adults.
Simon is a strong believer in volunteering within local communities currently serving as an elected Parish Councillor for several years as well as serving a term as Chair of the Council. Simon is also a Trustee of a Scout Group and Chair of local registered Charity providing community facilities and recreation grounds. Previously a school governor plus Chair of Governors, Chair of a fundraising group for a new village hall and Chair of village, town, district and regional community safety organisations and partnerships within the Amber Valley area.
Richard Yielder
Finance Manager
Richard joined ECS in October 2020. Having graduated from Manchester University with a degree in mathematics, Richard joined the Birmingham office of PMM (now KMPG) and qualified as a chartered accountant. Subsequently Richard has worked in a number of roles, primarily as Finance Director, in both Commercial and not for profit organisations.
Tracy Cresswell
Corporate, Partnerships, and Volunteering Manager
I have worked for ECS since April 2016, when they delivered the Healthwatch Wolverhampton contract. I worked as the engagement manager being promoted to the Healthwatch manager in 2018. During my time with Healthwatch, I have made several relationships with stakeholders which I will continue to engage with as part of my new role, especially around partnership working. Volunteers have always been a big part of the work that I have done both within my role in Healthwatch and also in my role when I worked in the NHS.
In my spare time, I volunteer at an athletics club which I have done for many years, and for the last 18 months been volunteering for a church who supports families with clothing, coats, food etc.
Deborah Faulks
Research Manager
Deborah is responsible for the project management of the Research Team’s multiple projects. She also undertakes the development of research projects including providing advice and guidance to the Healthwatch delivered by ECS in the design and delivery of their work plan priority projects.
Deborah also works to develop new business for the Research Team including developing partnerships with academic institutions as well as public and voluntary sector stakeholders.
Deborah has a background in public sector service improvement and has undertaken a range of projects with ECS including NHS complaints reviews and equality and equality and diversity reviews for NHS Trusts and Local Authorities.
She has also worked with local Healthwatch to develop, analyse and report on a range of commissioned work including End of Life Services in Wolverhampton and Care Navigation in Staffordshire.
Deborah has worked with the University sector supporting both undergraduate and graduate placements and internships. Most recently she has been part of the Birmingham University led research into partnering in the NHS providing support in developing public and patient involvement in the project.
Prior to working at ECS Deborah worked within the social housing sector both delivering front-line services and as a service improvement practitioner. Her work in service improvement meant the development of work and involvement of residents in providing feedback and improving services. Deborah provided support to the resident involvement team to achieve TPAS accreditation and also developed a Resident Scrutiny Panel.
Deborah holds a BA Hons in Social Policy and an MA in Housing Policy and Practice. She is a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Housing as well as a member of the Social Research Association and the Social Policy Association.