Press release posted 1 September 2025
The Christie NHS Foundation Trust has appointed Amanda Oates and Dr Marisa Logan-Ward as non-executive directors to its board of directors. Both roles are for a 3-year period.
Amanda Oates
Amanda has over 30 years of experience in human resources and organisational development, primarily within the NHS, having served as a chief people officer and deputy CEO. She runs her own company supporting organisations in the design and delivery of people interventions with impact, specialising in restorative just cultures, transformation and change and is a board director for the international organisation, Restorative Just Culture Foundation.
Throughout her career, Amanda has played a pivotal role in shaping workforce strategy, driving cultural transformation, and embedding restorative and inclusive practices across large, complex healthcare organisations and systems. Her leadership has been instrumental in navigating acquisitions, improving staff engagement, and aligning HR strategies with broader organisational goals.
Amanda is nationally and internationally recognised for her pioneering work in restorative just culture, psychological safety, and anti-racism strategies. She has led the development of award-winning programmes such as just and learning culture and civility and respect initiatives, which have significantly reduced formal HR cases and improved staff wellbeing. Her influence is wide ranging, contributing to national NHS strategies and advising bodies like NHS England.
She also has a strong academic foundation, with a MSc in Strategic HR and Chartered Companion status with the CIPD. She is a published author and speaker, contributing to research and thought leadership in workforce wellbeing, organisational culture, and leadership.
Dr Marisa Logan-Ward
Marisa has over 20 years of experience in the field of laboratory medicine and diagnostics – and experience of both the public and independent sector. She currently holds a non-executive director role at the Health Service Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB), an arm’s-length body of the Department of Health and Social Care responsible for conducting national patient safety investigations. She is also a Trustee at Greater Manchester Moving, a charity changing lives through movement, physical activity & sport across the city-region.
Prior to joining The Christie, Marisa was a non-executive director and vice chair at Stockport NHS Foundation Trust. Between January 2024 and April 2025, she was the interim chair, providing board leadership through significant operational and financial challenges across the Stockport and the wider system.
As Managing Director of Kingsbridge Health Ltd, Marisa advised high-profile organisations such as NHS England, Medica Group and Spire Healthcare Plc on strategy and transformation. Prior to running her own consultancy, she held senior roles with Europe’s two largest providers of medical diagnostics (SYNLAB and Unilabs) and was group pathology director for BMI Healthcare with operational responsibility across 45 private acute hospitals.
Marisa has a degree in Biomedical Sciences and a PhD in Molecular Pharmacology from the University of Bath.
Her connection to The Christie NHS Foundation Trust is both professional and personal. She has been a partner and collaborator on several major programmes including The Christie Pathology Partnership and has lived experience as patient having been successfully treated at The Christie following a breast cancer diagnosis in 2022.
Roger Spencer, Chief Executive, said: “I am looking forward to Amanda and Marisa joining the board of The Christie and working alongside them both.
“They bring a wide range of experience and knowledge and share our values of making a real difference to people and putting our patients at the heart of everything we do.”