The team behind the development of the pioneering Pears Cumbria School of Medicine continues to expand, with local talent joining the team.
They will shape its development and create the region’s first graduate-entry medical school, based in Carlisle.
Six of the latest new recruits are from Cumbria and are all excited to be part of a unique partnership that will see this bespoke, innovative and research-informed graduate-entry medical school open its doors in 2025.
Introducing the new team members is Chris Harris, PCSM head of operations.
He said: “This collaboration is so fortunate to benefit from a wide range of exceptional people from the Cumbria region.
“Our recent appointments have been attracted to join us because of the unique opportunity to create a generation of new doctors in and for Cumbria. The school of medicine is a diverse community of people who share the vision to make a difference in the region.”
Angie Illman, project manager, added: “It is a great achievement to see this in action. As someone who was born in Whitehaven and has family here, it’s been a wonderful journey seeing a new school come together.”
Angie has been part of the Pears Cumbria School of Medicine project and team since 2022, to create a collaborative, inclusive, and research-informed medical school in Cumbria, for the Cumbrian people. Angie brings a wealth of knowledge to the team, gaining an MA at the Royal College of Art, London, and a Postgraduate Certificate Academic Practice in Art, Design and Communication from the University of the Arts London. Angie has held many project management roles throughout their career. Angie is delighted to see all the hard work and planning come to fruition.
Lucy Thorpe is marketing and student recruitment officer.
Lucy was born at the former City Maternity Hospital, now part of the University of Cumbria’s Fusehill Street Campus in Carlisle and home to the school of medicine.
After leaving Carlisle’s Trinity School, Lucy moved to study in Manchester and has worked as a project support manager for The Christie NHS Foundation and marketing manager at the University of Derby, alongside freelance copywriting and content marketing for health and beauty brands.
Lucy returned home to Cumbria in 2023. She said: “I am excited to be involved in such a prestigious, large-scale project. It is incredible to see such a unique partnership and what impact this will have for our local community and region.”
Bridget Liddle is executive assistant.
Bridget has close connections with the University of Cumbria as an alumna, in healthcare and she was also born at the City Maternity Hospital – now part of the Fusehill Street Campus.
After graduating from The University of Manchester in economics and social studies, Bridget started her career working in the NHS as the project co-ordinator for TrusTECH, the first North West NHS Innovation Hub hosted at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust.
In 2010 she returned to Cumbria and embarked on a career in teaching after gaining a PGCE from the University of Cumbria. Since 2017 she has worked in various executive assistant/project support roles for North Cumbria Integrated Care Trust and the Cumberland Council. In January 2024, she joined the University of Cumbria as the executive assistant for PCSM.
Bridget said: “The medical school is something to feel proud of – it is exciting to be part of this project and to support my local city and community. The student journey is very important to me and how we support these new doctors to imbed them into Cumbria.”
Charlotte Young is communications and engagement officer.
Charlotte moved to Carlisle from Lancaster at age 11. After attending William Howard School, in Brampton, she moved to Essex to study performing arts and worked professionally in theatre and TV. She returned to Cumbria in 2005, becoming a teacher and business owner across South and West Cumbria. She subsequently became operations director for a children’s theatre school franchise.
Following life-changing surgery in 2022, Charlotte became a cochlear implant recipient and community mentor, this was a key driver for Charlotte to pursue new challenges and PCSM seemed like a perfect opportunity.
Charlotte said: “I have seen and experienced first-hand how collaboration, inclusivity, and research-informed medical science can impact lives, and I am so proud to be part of the medical school, a place to make a difference to our local community.”
Rebecca Hodgson is placement officer.
Rebecca was born and bred in Carlisle and attended Caldew school. She then went on to become a student at the University of Cumbria, studying applied psychology. After graduating in 2018, Rebecca worked as an undergraduate administrator for the Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear Foundation Trust. She was responsible for organising placements and teaching for medical students, specifically in mental health.
Rebecca said: “The new medical school will do so much for Cumbria and help so many people in the county. I am passionate about supporting the students and their journey.”
Craig Betton is curriculum development fellow.
Craig said he was looking forward to giving ‘a strong identity’ back to Cumbria and drawing on his clinical and academic skills to support the school.
Craig has worked in various roles for the University of Cumbria. He was also born in the former City Maternity Hospital which later became one of his work offices. Throughout his career, Craig has had numerous clinical and academic roles including Anaesthetic and Critical Care nursing, occupational health nursing, before becoming a lecturer and senior lecturer in paramedic science and nursing disciplines across both pre and post pre-registration CPD courses.
Craig wanted to be part of Cumbria’s new medical school from the initial announcement, and he felt this was an exciting opportunity with the strength of partnership from the University of Cumbria and Imperial College London. Craig said, “Being part of the team is the pinnacle of my career and the biggest opportunity I’ve ever had. I will be drawing on my knowledge from my previous roles to inform and support the students in improving desperately needed staffing levels and services across the region”.
PCSM is a unique collaboration between University of Cumbria and Imperial College London. It offers a four-year graduate entry programme with a bespoke curriculum, specifically designed to meet the needs of the region.
Combining the University of Cumbria’s expertise in the education of nurses, midwives and allied health professionals with Imperial’s reputation as one of the world’s best medical schools, the curriculum has been co-created with regional NHS partners and is designed to support the retention of doctors in Cumbria and the North West.
With philanthropic support from Pears Foundation, PCSM will welcome its first 58 medical students in autumn 2025.
