Simon Hibberd was a GP in Norfolk for almost 30 years. During that time he championed collaborative working across health and social services, integrating his North Elmham GP practice team with the local acute trust and agencies.

In 2004, before they became widespread, Simon set up patient representation groups at his practice’s surgeries. In 2009, he set up Breckland Care at Home, a community interest company, to bridge the gap with primary care and support vulnerable local people. He remains a director. His GP practice leadership was recognised twice by the Royal College of General Practice with a Quality Practice Award (the highest possible accolade) in 2004 and 2012.

Simon has participated widely in NHS bodies involved in primary care commissioning, and until 2017 was Chair of Members of South Norfolk Clinical Commissioning Group, comprising representatives of the 24 local practices.

Why did Simon apply to join the board?

I like being part of an organisation of committed, enthusiastic people, but most of all I like seeing how much getting a new home transforms people lives. The genuine good feeling is difficult to over-emphasise. I am part of something worthwhile.

Chris Ewbank, MBA Insead, BA Hons, was co-opted to the Board in April 2017 and took up the position of Chair following the AGM in September 2017.

Chris is the Chief Financial Officer/Senior Bursar of St John’s College, Cambridge, responsible for the college’s £525 million endowment, human resources, strategic planning, governance, regulatory compliance and fundraising. Before joining St John’s in 2005, Chris was Chief Operating Officer of Rothschild’s Asian Investment banking in Hong Kong, having joined Rothschild in 2000. Previously, he was an investment banker for Schroders in London, Singapore and New York. Chris qualified as a solicitor in 1988 and holds an MBA from INSEAD.

Jon is currently an Associate Director with a local NHS Trust. He is responsible for the transformation of hospital services and developing new health and social care models of care across Norfolk and Waveney.

Previously, Jon occupied a number of senior management roles in both local and national government. He also works as a public sector consultant, which involves working with the Council of Europe, and central and local government organisations in several Eastern European countries. Jon has a proven track record of performing and delivering in a number of senior non-executive director positions.

As a former Broadland board member, Jon served as the Chair of the Group Audit & Risk Committee and also sat on the Remuneration & Membership Committee.

Why did Jon first apply to become a board member?

My career has been in delivering public services, and the ethos of ensuring that everyone in society receives key services, regardless of background etc, is important to me. Housing is a key need for everyone and not everyone can afford, chooses to, or wants home ownership.

Housing associations offer an alternative to home ownership and private renting. I wanted to be a board member to see how I could help ensure quality housing is open to all.

I enjoy working with great people, Broadland staff as well as fellow non-executive directors, who are all focused on the same thing.

Being a board member gives me an understanding of what it’s like to be on the ‘other side of the governance fence’. As a Director in the NHS, my role at Broadland Housing has added much value to how I approach my work.