The Board

Chris was born in Saint Mary’s Hospital and grew up very nearby in central Manchester. She initially trained and worked as a Staff Nurse at Manchester Royal Infirmary in the 1980s and subsequently became a qualified social worker, based in a Community Team in Moss Side, central Manchester.

Chris held a number of key senior positions in Manchester City Council’s Children, Family and Community Services for over 25 years. She was also an adviser to the Department for Education

Chris joined the Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council in 2009 as Director of Social Care and Health. She currently holds the position of Executive Director People and Integration : Director of Children’s Services.

Chris chairs the Greater Manchester School Readiness Board and the Greater Manchester Children’s Health and Wellbeing Executive. She also represents Greater Manchester’s Directors of Children’s Services on the GM Integrated Care Partnership.

Chris is the Senior Independent Director for MFT. She was awarded an OBE in 2021 for her outstanding services to children and families.