CEO & Founding Director
Everyone has the right to good health
That belief has driven ABL since 2009. We work with councils and the NHS to design and deliver community-based services that reduce health inequalities and help people live healthier, happier lives for longer.
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people supported to make behaviour changes in 2025
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people supported with long-term health conditions in 2025
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people supported with mental health needs in 2025
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successful 4-week smoking quits in 2025
Built by people who believed services could be different
ABL was founded in 2009 by Denise Leslie and Dr Sheena Bedi. Both wanted to make it easier for people to get the support they needed, closer to home. They believed a more flexible approach could work, one that understood people in the context of their whole lives.
From the start, we took services that had traditionally sat in hospitals and clinics and brought them into communities, designing them with the people who would use them. We still work that way today, in more than 20 health and social care systems.
For commissioners, that means a partner who thinks in whole systems and keeps its attention on the people most likely to fall through the gaps.
Meet the people behind ABL
We're a mix of clinicians, operations specialists and people who've worked in communities like yours. We'd be glad to hear from you, whether you have a question or want to talk about what your population needs.
Medical Director
Donal O’Donoghue
Director of Operations & Governance
Andy Leslie
Commercial Director
Nick Warnett
Finance Director
Paul Richardson
Chief Operating Officer
Holly McEneaney
Head of Strategic Partnerships
Dominic Duggan
Chief Technology Officer
John Patrick
Associate Director, Mental Health
Oliver Godfrey
Associate Director, Lifestyle Services
Raz Mohammed
Associate Director, Marketing and Communications
Alex Spyrou
The values behind every service
Our purpose is healthier, happier for longer. Our vision is to eradicate health inequalities by helping people take an active part in their own health.
People-powered
Shaped with communities
The people who use our services help shape them. We listen, act on feedback and co-produce changes with communities.
Bold
Open to new ideas
We try new approaches and challenge the way things have always been done, within safe, well-governed boundaries.
Effective
Focused on outcomes
We set clear goals, measure what matters and hold ourselves to account for outcomes.
Thoughtful
Seeing the whole person
We look beyond the reason someone was referred and take account of everything else going on in their life.
Recognised for the way we work
Recognition for the services we run with our partners, and for the people who deliver them.
Number one stop smoking service
Our Wirral stop smoking service was recognised as the number one service in the country for three years running, from 2021 to 2023.
British Empire Medal
Elizabeth Woodworth, our long-serving smoking cessation lead, was awarded the BEM in the King’s New Year Honours 2026.
Investors in People
Accredited since 2018, and retained in 2025 for a further three years.
Disability Confident Leader
The highest level of the government's Disability Confident scheme, re-accredited in 2025.
Business Purpose Before Profit Award
Recognised at the British Business Excellence Awards for putting purpose before profit.
Bridges Positive Impact Award
Winner at the 2022 Growing Business Awards, for growing a business that has a positive impact on people.
Let’s work together
Tell us about the population you’re commissioning for and what you want to change. We’d welcome the conversation.