Management Team

Peter Sheppard – Managing Director

Peter Sheppard BA (Hons), is a qualified solicitor with over 30 years’ experience in the legal – medical healthcare sector. Peter graduated in law at the University of Kent and trained with London and South East firm, Thomas Eggar, qualifying in 1984.

Peter became Managing Director of NES Healthcare UK in 2005 and has led the Company through significant growth over the past 18 years.

His passion is to continue to develop and enhance the role of the Resident Doctor within both the Independent and NHS healthcare sectors through pioneering training and assessment of overseas doctors, the introduction of innovative recruitment measures backed up with a firm commitment to high standards in management throughout the Company with the ultimate aim of ensuring excellent quality of care for the patients that the Company serves.

Dr Stephen Drotske – Medical Director

Dr Stephen Drotske completed a Master Degree in Family Medicine, which certified a place as a GP in Queenstown, South Africa. He practised as a rural multi-skilled GP for 11 years, thoroughly enjoying working in anaesthesia, ENT and a wide range of surgical procedures.

In 2007, Stephen undertook a new challenge, relocating to the UK to become the Medical Director for NES.

Over the next few years Stephen developed the NES Training and Assessment Programme, a course of theoretical and practical clinical assessments, incorporating training on both adult and paediatric Advanced Life Support.

Stephen has pioneered the Medical English screening and assessment for doctors from outside the UK. To support NES’ doctors he completed a master degree in Medical Education and an MBA. He is a senior fellow at the Faculty for Medical Leadership and a member of the Academy of Medical Educators.

Stephen is the Responsible Officer for NES Healthcare UK.

Justyn Tollyfield – Operations Director

Justyn is one of NES’ longest-serving employees, having completed more than 20 years with the company. Prior to this he gained a degree in politics from the University of Wales, Swansea and worked in retail and recruitment.

Having started with NES as a Medical Staffing Manager, Justyn quickly became a senior member of the team before establishing himself as a senior manager for the business. His role as Operations Director encompasses contract and resource management, business development and company strategy.

Phil Sandy – Finance Director

Phil is a qualified accountant who joined NES in 2010. Prior to this Phil spent his career in the accountancy profession, becoming an audit senior manager at both KPMG and Grant Thornton where he managed a large and varied portfolio of clients.

In his role as Finance Director, Phil ensures that our financial procedures remain fit for purpose for a growing company in an increasing regulatory environment.

Jo Bedford – Recruitment Director

Jo joined NES in 2009, initially overseeing the day-to-day running of locum shifts, before accepting the role of Recruitment Consultant later that year. Over the next 5 years Jo was hugely successful and recruited hundreds of doctors to come to work with NES.

In 2015 she took on the role of Recruitment Director, a role that requires her to ensure that NES continues to be the destination of choice for large numbers of doctors. Whilst the majority of this work takes place from within the UK she often travels overseas,  promoting the opportunities that we have to offer.

Rachael Myall – Operations Manager

Rachael joined NES in 2004 and worked initially within the recruitment team. Seeking a new challenge, Rachael moved into Operations the following year and has not looked back since. Starting as an Assistant, she rapidly became a Medical Staffing Manager and has developed her role to include managing the team. This was formally recognised when she was appointed as the company’s Operations Manager.

Rachael enjoys the hectic pace of the day-to-day NES operation and loves nothing more than when a well-executed plan comes together.

Prior to joining NES Rachael graduated from the University of Sussex with a BSc in Geography. This fuelled a lifelong passion for travelling the world, meaning she is always looking out for her next adventure.

Andrea Palastanga - Training & Appraisal Manager

Andrea joined NES in August 2005 in an administrative capacity before quickly attaining the role of Medical Staffing Manager. She demonstrated a great aptitude for portfolio management and this has led to successive promotions to the position of Training Manager.

Andrea manages the day-to-day running of NES' Training Centre and the team that coordinates the many courses that we run from this facility.  As part of the senior management team, Andrea also plays an important role in company decision-making and strategy.

Outside of work Andrea enjoys walking her dogs and acquiring impressive shoes.

Dr Anneke Blaauw - Clinical Manager & Appraisal Lead

Dr Anneke Blaauw graduated with an MBChB from the University of Orange Free State, South Africa in 2000. During her Internship and Community Service she gained significant experience in rural medicine whilst working in Kwa-Zulu Natal. She then came to the UK in 2003 to begin working with NES. Anneke proved herself to be an excellent doctor and was hugely valued by the staff and management at her longstanding hospital placement.

Anneke became part of the NES training team in 2010 and has achieved UK Resuscitation Council (UKRC) Instructor status. She has also become a Medical and Course Director for the UKRC. In addition to this Anneke has used her extensive experience as an NES doctor to instruct on NES’ Practical Assessments and Aseptic Non-Touch (ANTT) courses.

Anneke’s greatest achievement has been in the development of NES’ Appraisal system. Since becoming an Appraiser in 2012 she has achieved the status of Appraisal Lead, which is a vital function enabling her to support the team of Appraisers and establish clear and effective processes for her clinical colleagues. It is through Anneke’s work that we are able to offer NES doctors a thorough Appraisal process and a clear path to Revalidation for our doctors.

Ben Godden - Resuscitation Lead

Benjamin Godden is a registered Operating Department Practitioner, graduating from Buckinghamshire New University with Distinction. After spending several years providing perioperative care for adults and children across a variety of specialities, Ben began working in clinical education. Having gained significant experience in clinical skills and simulation education across the NHS & Private Sectors, Ben gained his PgCert Medical Simulation Education, as well as numerous skills & equipment trainer certifications. Ben’s clinical & education experience has contributed to his success in resuscitation service management & training during previous roles.

Ben became part of the NES Clinical team as Resuscitation Lead in 2023 and is a UK Resuscitation Council (RCUK) Instructor. He is also NES Healthcare’s Freedom to Speak Up Guardian. In addition to this, Ben uses his extensive experience in clinical education to instruct on many of NES’ Practical assessments and courses.

One of Ben’s achievements is his work in ‘Virtual Reality Clinical Education’ which was nominated for the Laing Buisson ‘Excellence in Training’ awards 2023.

Laura Groves - Recruitment Manager

Laura joined NES in 2019 as Recruitment Manager. Following her degree in English, Film and Theatre she has worked in Human Resources and Recruitment for 10 years, spanning both the public and private sectors.

Laura manages the Recruitment Team in all day-to-day activities, supporting the Recruitment Director with new campaigns, with oversight for project work in both Recruitment and General Office Management.

Georgina Smith - Compliance Manager

Georgina joined NES' administration team in 2016 and quickly demonstrated her excellent organisational skills. Compliance Manager since 2019, Georgina has been very successfully in establishing a team that ensures NES' documentary and regulatory compliance never falls below 100%.

Carly Hall - Resources Manager

Carly joined NES Healthcare in April 2007, initially to assist with doctor recruitment before moving into our Administration Team. She then became a Medical Staffing Manger (MSM) in 2012, a role she performed with great distinction to the point where she was designated as our Deputy Operations Manager. This required Carly to provide motivation and mentoring for the less experienced members of the team as well and troubleshooting, process development and project management.

Carly was promoted to the role of Resources Manger in 2022, taking on the responsibility for staff and facilities management. This includes looking after the welfare of NES employees, using her extensive experience and expertise to ensure the team is well looked after and able to perform to the best of their abilities.