Healthwatch Telford and Wrekin Appoints Two New Co-Chairs to Champion Local Voices

Photo left to right- John Brewer, Terry Gee and Simon Fogell

The newly appointed Co-Chairs bring a wealth of experience, passion, and dedication to the role. Their leadership will be instrumental in guiding Healthwatch Telford and Wrekin through this transitional period, ensuring that the voices of our community continue to shape the services they rely on.

“We’re incredibly excited to welcome our new Co-Chairs,” said Liz Byrne, Managing Director of ECS on behalf of Healthwatch Telford and Wrekin. “Their appointment signals our determination to forge ahead, undeterred, and continue being the voice of the public in Telford.”

Meet the Co-Chairs:

John Brewer – John began his career as Head of Human Performance for the Football Association, at Lilleshall, and was part of Sir Bobby Robson’s backroom staff for the Italia 90 World Cup.  He left Lilleshall after 20 years to work for GlaxoSmithKline, before entering academia as a Professor of Applied Sports Science.  He held senior roles at a number of UK Universities, and headed a large educational charity, before retiring and returning to Shropshire with his wife, Caroline, a former GB Olympic Hockey player.  John has held several non-executive roles, including as Non-Executive Director of Telford and Wrekin Primary Care Trust, as a Board Member of UK Anti-Doping, and as Chair of the British Handball Association at the London 2012 Olympics.  He is currently Chair of the National Football Museum in Manchester and has made numerous appearances in the national and local media.  John is also a Trustee of the Shopshire Way Association and regularly competes in local running events.

Terry Gee – Terry is an experienced leader in the voluntary and community sector with a track record of building strategic partnerships, influencing change, and championing community voice. He is currently the VCSE Development and Commissioning Lead at Kingston Council and served as Vice Chair of Telford and Wrekin CVS. A former Chair of the Telford Chief Officers Group, Terry brings deep knowledge of system collaboration, citizen engagement, and equitable access to services.

Quotes from the Co-Chairs:

John Brewer said: “I am delighted to be joining Healthwatch Telford and Wrekin at this extremely important time, and I am looking forward to ensuring that the needs of our local population are at the heart of healthcare in Telford and Wrekin.  I have spent all my career advocating the physical and mental benefits of healthy lifestyles, and I will be working alongside Terry and all our partners to deliver the best possible services and opportunities so that residents of Telford and Wrekin can lead active, long and healthy lives.”

Terry Gee said: “I’m really pleased to be joining Healthwatch Telford and Wrekin as Co-Chair. This is a crucial time for the voice of local people to be heard loud and clear, particularly as systems shift and pressures mount. I’m looking forward to working alongside John, the Board, and the wider team to ensure Healthwatch remains an independent, trusted, and useful force for communities across Telford and Wrekin.”

Looking ahead, “Our priorities for the year ahead remain firmly rooted in listening to local people and making sure their voices are heard—especially around support for Armed Forces Veterans, and Discharge from hospital,” said Simon Fogell, Chief Executive of Healthwatch Telford and Wrekin. “We’ve seen thousands of residents share their experiences, and we’re committed to turning that feedback into meaningful change. Even in uncertain times, our role as the public’s independent voice in health and care is more vital than ever.”

Healthwatch Telford and Wrekin encourages residents to stay engaged, share their experiences, and help shape the future of health and social care in our community.

Get Involved: Join Our Board

As we continue to champion the voices of Telford and Wrekin residents, we’re also looking to strengthen our leadership by recruiting new board members. This is a fantastic opportunity for passionate individuals who want to make a difference in their local community. Whether you have professional experience in health and social care, or simply a strong desire to help others, we’d love to hear from you.

Volunteering with Healthwatch Telford and Wrekin is a chance to support meaningful change, ensure public voices are heard, and help shape the future of local services. If you're interested in joining our board or learning more, please get in touch—we’d be delighted to speak with you.

You can contact the Healthwatch Telford and Wrekin team on:

Email: info@healthwatchtelfordandwrekin.co.uk

Telephone: 01952 739540