UKSBS Board

John Clarke, Chair, Non-Executive Director (independent)

John Clarke is a Non-Executive Chair at Companies House, and the MoD Defence Business Services. He has also been a Non-Executive Director with the UK Ordnance Survey, and the Department of Work and Pensions – as part of the Digital Transformation Advisory Committee. He is advisor to private and public bodies on business and digital transformation, and a systemic (team) coach and mentor, helping boards and leadership teams grow and develop.

John is a former partner with EY and has held senior corporate positions including Chief Executive and Chairman at Mind Foundry, Chief Information Officer at Nokia, Chief Technology Officer at Tesco, Interim Chief Operating Officer at the UK Ordnance Survey, and Interim Chief Information Officer at Morrisons and Primark.

He has led a range of large-scale digital transformations, developed global business services, shared services, digital and cyber operations and had led several large-scale corporate transactions.

Richard Semple, CBE, Chief Executive Officer

Richard joined us in 2018 after thirty three years as a Royal Engineer and senior officer in the British Army. In addition to strategic and policy development roles in the Ministry of Defence, he has spent much of his career with responsibility for the delivery of the Army’s engineering and information services across the world.

As a general officer, he held board-level responsibilities for the Army’s equipment fleets, logistics and support services. As the Army’s first Chief Information Officer, he increased information exploitation and directed digital transformation across the organisation. As a technology leader with extensive experience in directing operations and complex programs, Richard brings a valuable insight to UKSBS to maximise the potential of future shared services.

Helen Mills, Non-Executive Director (from DSIT)

Helen is the HR Director at the newly created Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). Helen's directorate are responsible for all people-affecting areas of the department, ensuring that the department has the right foundations, a compelling people offer and leads the way in people innovation.

Helen’s previous experience includes Chief People Officer at DFID/ FCDO during the merger and as HR Director at the Department for Exiting the European Union before taking up the broader role as Corporate Centre Director. Helen has also spent time in Cabinet Office as a HR Deputy Director overseeing a wide range ​of areas including HR Business Partnering, Performance Management, Pay and Policy.  Helen is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and has a CIMA advanced Diploma.

Cath Denholm, Non-Executive Director (from DESNZ)

Cath Denholm is the Managing Director for Integrated Corporate Services (ICS). ICS is hosted within the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and provides shared services to multiple government departments and their partner organisations.

Prior to joining ICS, Cath’s career spans several strategic leadership and governance roles in the UK public sector including in the public health sector in Scotland, as Chief Operating Officer and interim CEO of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, as Interim Chair and ARAC Chair of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee and Deputy Chair of NatureScot. 

Leslie Gilbert, Non-Executive Director (from DESNZ/Other Neo Clients)

Leslie has been Head of Finance at the Cabinet Office for the last 10 years.  Prior to that, he has held senior Finance roles in both public and private sector organisations. Leslie’s career has focused on playing a leading role in many transformation programmes, such as major transport infrastructure, development of digital public services, property development and building shared service centres. He has extensive governance experience and is currently a member of several Audit Committees and Investment Boards.   

Rosanna Wong, Non-Executive Director (from DBT)

Rosanna Wong is the Director of Project Delivery and Change and Chief Project Delivery Officer at the Department for Business & Trade. Rosanna oversees the assurance of DBT’s Major Projects Portfolio, ensuring strong strategic oversight and successful delivery of programmes. Rosanna is also SRO for DBTs Shared Services programme. 

Rosanna’s previous experience includes a wide range of roles across many government departments, including Making Tax Digital for Business at HMRC and leading the Civil Service HR Programmes. Rosanna is Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, an Advanced Practitioner of Organisation Design and Development, and is currently part of the Major Programmes Leadership Academy.

Mike Baker, Non-Executive Director (from UKRI)

Mike Baker is the Chief of Operational Delivery at UK Research and Innovation. Mike was appointed in September 2025 and leads the functions of Funding Services, Estates, Commercial, Security and Business Continuity and Health and Safety. 

He is a Trust Director at the Laurels Academies Trust overseeing health and safety and the strategic direction of the Trust since 2024. Mike has extensive public sector experience across estates, commercial, sustainability and health and safety. Mike has worked across the Civil Service since 2002

Carolyn Isaacs, Non-Executive Director (independent)

Carolyn is a finance and transformation leader whose career includes private sector global enterprises. A qualified accountant (FCCA) with an MBA, she has expertise in finance, HR, technology, and business services.  

Much of her career was at Diageo plc, holding senior finance positions, before expanding into Technology and HR services. She has successfully led major change programmes across business functions and geographies. Carolyn currently leads Finance Services and Transformation at Dentsu, a global advertising business. She has strong governance experience, having served twelve years as a Pension Trustee, including Investment committee experience for Diageo Pension Trust, and chairing its Audit Committee.