Audit South West | Our People | Senior Audit Staff

Senior Audit Staff

Paul Thomas - Torquay Office

Paul joined the NHS in January 1989 and has over 15 years of internal audit service and is Audit Manager for three trusts in Devon. Paul is CIMA qualified and has been an Audit Manager since 2002. He has managed audit contracts for Health Authorities, Primary Care Trusts, Acute Trusts, Ambulance Trusts and a Care Trust.

Paul has worked with a range of clients to develop and promote sound governance arrangements, particularly associated with the establishment of new organisations, as the NHS has developed over the last decade.

Paul also has particular experience in establishing an audit programme that reflects the transition of local authority services to an integrated health and social care organisation.

Phil Rogers - Exeter Office

Philip joined the NHS in January 1998, with nearly twelve years of internal audit service. Philip is PIIA qualified and has also successfully completed the examination for MIIA.  He has been an Audit Manager since 2004 and has managed audit contracts to a number of acute and ambulance trusts.

Over his time with the Consortium, Philip has:

  • worked with Trusts to embed the integrated governance framework and move them from 'limited assurance' statements to 'significant assurance' statements in their Head of Internal Audit Opinion;
  • worked with Trusts to enhance their ability to achieve a financial breakeven position taking the lead on this area for the Consortium; and
  • contributed to the design of the Business Planning process of a large acute Trust and facilitated workshops to embed the principles and skills required to deliver the process with its senior managers.

Philip currently covers a Foundation Trust and related shared service unit; an Ambulance Trust and the Devon Doctors out of hours service.

Mark Glover - Plymouth Office

Mark has been employed within the NHS since October 2004 and is the Internal Audit Manager for the Plymouth and Truro offices. Mark's background includes 19 years experience working within the Japanese industry, specialising in quality and process improvement. This experience has led Mark to become Six Sigma qualified, which has involved travelling to numerous different parts of the world, including Japan and Singapore, presenting on the use of various efficiency and process improvement techniques.

Over his time with the NHS, Mark has worked closely with Trusts on various complex and high profile subjects, such as Foundation Trust Application processes and the development of robust internal governance structures through the development of the Assurance Framework process. This experience has led Mark to complete the NHS Senior Management Development Programme. Mark is also ISO9001 Lead Auditor accredited.

It is Mark's vision to see Trusts fully embed the Service Line Management Framework and to also make full use of the Internal Audit function to assist Trusts in ensuring they have robust systems of internal control, effective throughout the organisation.

Russell Caton - Bristol (Whitefriars) Office

Russell worked for Whitbreads for 28 years progressing from procurement and stocktaking roles to Divisional Auditor for the Managed House Division of the company where he gained a wide range of auditing and policy development experience. A number of Audit Manager roles followed, culminating in managing a national team of auditors. Russell joined the NHS in 2002 as a Principal Auditor progressing to Audit Manager in 2009.

Russell currently takes responsibility for one Foundation Trust, one acute Trust, three Primary Care Trusts and a number of specialist NHS and NHS associated organisations. Russell has worked on a number of high profile pieces of work, including supporting the Transforming Community Services process for two PCTs and the move to Shared Business Services for a PCT.

Joan Clark, Counter Fraud Manager - North Devon Office

An accredited NHS Counter Fraud Specialist (LCFS), Joan has overall management responsibility for Counter Fraud Services in Devon & Cornwall and has led its operational development since its inception.

Her role involves the strategic management of five experienced LCFS covering 11 NHS clients including PCTs, Ambulance Trust, Foundation Trusts and Hospital Trusts. In addition, she manages the Consortium's Compliance Team, with responsibility for non-fraud special/ad hoc reviews and investigations.

Joan qualified as a Chartered Management Accountant (CIMA) in 1995 and has 15 years internal audit experience within the NHS. She possesses a sound knowledge of Internal Control and Risk Management techniques and also holds the Postgraduate Certificate in Managing Health & Social Care.

Prior to joining the NHS, Joan worked in financial accounting in commerce and industry and is also a member of the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT).

Sue Edmonds, Principal Counter Fraud Specialist - Bristol (Whitefriars) Office 

Sue has over twenty years experience in the Counter Fraud field in the public sector.

She joined the NHS in 2000, became an accredited Local Counter Fraud Specialist in that year and has since gained certification in Criminal Justice Studies. 

Sue manages the Avon Local Counter Fraud Team and has extensive technical knowledge on fraud issues and has taken part in pilot studies and focus groups with CFSMS.