Executive members (directors) of the Trust Board are senior managers who have responsibility for the day-to-day running of the organisation.
They share responsibility for the Trust’s performance, strategy, and financial management, and are ultimately accountable for the effective and efficient delivery of services to the public.
There are five executive directors of the Northern Health and Social Care Trust Board.
Suzanne Pullins, Chief Executive (Interim)
Role and responsibilities
The Chief Executive is responsible for the overall performance of the executive functions of the Trust, and is the Accounting Officer for the Trust, responsible for ensuring the discharge of obligations under Financial Directions and in line with the requirements issued by the Department of Health.
Background
Suzanne Pullins was appointed Interim Chief Executive on 1 October 2025. Prior to this, she was Executive Director of Nursing since September 2020, and Divisional Director, responsible for paediatrics, women’s services, and corporate support. Since starting her career as a Registered General Nurse in 1987, Suzanne has acquired a wealth of knowledge in operational management; she is skilled in professional leadership, and has a proven track record in patient safety and quality improvement.
Contact
- karen.okane@northerntrust.hscni.net (Business Support Manager)
Maura Dargan, Executive Director of Social Work, Divisional Director Children and Young People’s Services
Role and responsibilities
The Executive Director of Social Work is responsible for ensuring that the Trust fulfils its statutory functions and meets regulatory requirements for the social care workforce, and that we have adequate arrangements in place to meet standards for safeguarding of children, vulnerable adults and mental health clients.
The Executive Director of Social Work also holds the role of Divisional Director of Children and Young People, responsible for operational management of family and childcare social work, safeguarding and corporate parenting.
Background
Maura Dargan has held the role of Executive Director of Social Work since September 2019. She joined the Trust in 1993 after starting her career as a childcare social worker in Antrim and has held various middle and senior management positions before being appointed as Executive Director.
Contact
- Email: Julie.Scobie@northerntrust.hscni.net (Personal Assistant)
George Gardiner, Executive Director of Medicine
Role and responsibilities
The Executive Director of Medicine is responsible for key aspects of clinical and governance and to ensure that appropriate systems and process are in place to ensure the safety and quality of services to patients and clients. This responsibility is shared with the Executive Director of Social Work.
Background
George Gardiner took up the post of Executive Director of Medicine for the Northern Trust in November 2025. George has studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh and undertook his initial training in Lothians and East of Scotland. He pursued a career in Anaesthetics and Intensive Care Medicine, fellowship from the College of Anaesthetists RCSI, and has been a consultant in Northern Ireland for more than 20 years. He has experience in delivering critical care in conflict zones and other extreme locations in the UK and abroad and worked in the Nightingale ICU during the COVID-19 pandemic. He has held a number of medical leadership roles at trust and regional level ands well as having been a school governor and director of a charitably funded nursing home.
Contact
- Email: Dorothy.Killough@northerntrust.hscni.net (Personal Assistant)
Owen Harkin, Executive Director of Finance
Role and responsibilities
The Executive Director of Finance provides financial advice to the Trust, and to its members, and, is responsible for the supervision of financial control and accounting systems. Their role, along with the Chief Executive, is to ensure the discharge of obligations under relevant Financial Directions.
Background
Owen Harkin joined the Trust as Executive Director of Finance in September 2015, and took up the role of Deputy Chief Executive in April 2020. As Executive Director of Finance, he leads on financial strategy, annual financial planning, and delivery of statutory financial targets. Owen is past president of the Healthcare Financial Management Association, and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.
Contact
- Email: Jill.McBride@northerntrust.hscni.net (Personal Assistant)
Gill Murphy, Executive Director of Nursing, Corporate Support and Paediatric Services (Interim)
Role and responsibilities
The Executive Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professionals is responsible for providing the Board with an assurance on professional nursing, midwifery and allied health professions governance within the Trust. They are responsible for strategic direction, quality and standards, and regulatory requirements.
The Executive Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professionals also holds the Divisional Director role for Paediatrics, Women’s Services and Corporate Support.
Background
Gill Murphy took up post as Interim Executive Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professionals on 23 October 2025.
Contact
- Email: Tracey.McClurken@northerntrust.hscni.net (Personal Assistant)