Baroness Kate Lampard CBE
CHAIR OF THE INQUIRY
Baroness Lampard is the Chair to the Inquiry. Her appointment was announced by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Steve Barclay, on Monday 4 September 2023.
Baroness Lampard is a former barrister and has worked as an independent consultant undertaking investigations and management consultancy, primarily for public sector services. She is experienced in leading high-profile government reviews, including the NHS investigations into Jimmy Savile and investigations into the Borders, Immigration and Citizenship service. She undertook investigations into allegations of abuse at Yarls Wood and Brook House immigration removal centres.
Previously, Baroness Lampard has also been a non-executive Director at the Department of Health and Social Care and served on the board of the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation. Baroness Lampard has also been the Chair of South East Coast Strategic Health Authority, Vice Chair of the South of England Strategic Health Authority, Vice Chair of the Financial Ombudsman Service Limited, and acted as interim Chair of the Independent Advisory Panel on Deaths in Custody. She was Chair of Invicta NHS Trust.
Baroness Lampard was previously the Chair of GambleAware and is a trustee of the Royal Horticultural Society. She is also a member of the House of Lords.
Kate Ward
Secretary to the Inquiry
Kate Ward is the Secretary to the Inquiry. Her role is to support and advise the Inquiry Chair and act as Chief of Staff to the Inquiry team.
Kate is a member of the senior civil service. She has wide-ranging relevant experience to this Inquiry, including a role as Deputy Secretary on a previous public inquiry, and expertise in promoting improvements to mental health policy and delivery. She has also worked on the frontline as a nurse.
Kate is passionate about and has extensive experience in supporting patients, families, and healthcare professionals to have their voices and experiences heard by policy makers and the Government.
Kate is supported by a highly skilled Secretariat team.
Catherine Turtle
Solicitor to the Inquiry
Catherine Turtle is the legal advisor to the Inquiry. Her role is to advise the Chair and the Inquiry team on any legal issues which may arise.
Catherine has extensive experience of working with inquiry teams, stakeholders and witnesses and was previously Deputy Solicitor to the Undercover Policing Inquiry.
Catherine has a particular interest in mental health and in assisting the Inquiry in making workable recommendations to improve patient safety and care.
Nicholas Griffin KC
Counsel to the Inquiry
Nicholas Griffin KC has been appointed as Lead Counsel to the Inquiry. His role includes the presentation of evidence to the Inquiry, which he will do with his team of experienced barristers.
Nicholas has practised extensively in major public inquiries for over twenty years, leading teams of lawyers following events of public concern and sensitivity. He is head of the Inquests, Inquiries and Public Law team at his barristers’ chambers, and works in a wide variety of investigations and cases, including at the intersection of criminal and public law. He also has experience in a series of public and charity appointments.
