Staff team
Mike Seaton, Chief Executive
Mike has been chief executive of NHS Retirement Fellowship for two years. Mike first trained as a community and youth worker and has spent the 35 years working within the charity sector holding senior roles in local, regional and national organisations which include the Kelsick Educational Foundation, BBC Children in Need, Carers Support Cumbria, the Methodist Church and the YMCA.
Mike has served as a trustee for a variety of charities and is currently the vice-chair designate for Kendal College of Further Education.
Mike lives in the Lake District and enjoys outdoor sports and distance running.
Rod How, Chief Operating Officer
Rod is responsible for supporting the strategic management of the organisation as well as a number of internal functions including financial management, IT, administration, HR and personnel.
Rod joined the Fellowship in April 2024 from the NHS where he has held a variety of finance positions including director of finance with NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit until he retired in December 2023. Rod has also worked in social care and integrated health and care organisations. Rod lives just outside of Taunton in Somerset and is married with three children.
Lucia Hiden, Head of Communications
Lucia is our lead for communications, benefits and stakeholder engagement. She is responsible for our marketing, internal communications, social media and website amongst other projects. She leads on the development of our benefits portfolio for members and takes a key role in maintaining and developing our relationships with external stakeholders.
Lucia was a journalist and then worked in a variety of communications roles within the NHS before managing the charity at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead. She joined the NHS Retirement Fellowship in 2014. Lucia is also a trustee of a mental health advocacy charity on Teesside. She lives in Newcastle upon Tyne with her husband and two children.
Kate Fussell, Membership Officer
Kate is our membership support officer. She is responsible for day-to-day enquiries received from members and potential members, as well as developing and managing the charity’s database to ensure the data we hold about our members is accurate and secure.
Kate has worked in the charity sector for over 17 years as an office manager. During that time, she has gained a wealth of experience in charity management, fundraising and customer care. Kate lives in south Wales with her husband and two children.
Deborah Marsh, Finance and Governance Secretary
Deborah is our finance and governance officer. She is responsible for supporting the honorary treasurer, chief executive and chief operating officer in the management of the organisation’s finances and in the governance of the organisation through support to the Board and sub-committees.
Deborah is a chartered accountant and has worked in a variety of financial roles. Before August 2024, Deborah worked for 25 years for an awarding organisation charity within the education sector. Deborah lives in Nottingham with her husband, they have two children and three grandchildren.
Angela Johnson, Fellowship Support Officer for Wales
Angela is the Fellowship’s support officer for Wales, and is responsible for setting up new branches and supporting existing branches across Wales. She engages with key NHS stakeholders to increase membership across Wales and continues to raise the profile of the Fellowship.
Angela worked in a variety of large blue chip retail organisations before joining the NHS in 2014 where she was the lead for recruitment and workforce planning at Betsi Cadwalladr University Health Board, and retired in 2020.
Angela lives in north Wales with her husband and two cats, where she enjoys life in the country.
Lynda McKie, Fellowship Support Officer for Scotland
Lynda is the Fellowship’s support officer for Scotland, and is responsible for setting up new branches and supporting existing branches across Scotland. She engages with key NHS stakeholders to increase membership across Scotland and continues to raise the profile of the Fellowship.
Lynda trained as a staff nurse, working in cardiology in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Australia. On completion of her MBA she worked in a variety of management roles mainly involved in quality improvement and change management across NHS Scotland. She retired in 2022.
Lynda lives in south west Scotland, where she enjoys walking her dog, Hamish, and meeting up with friends.