New Non Executive Directors at University Hospital
University Hospital is delighted to announce the appointment of two new non-executive directors to its Board.
David Simons and Robert Collins will each serve a four year term, David from 1 April 2010 to 30 March 2014 and Robert from 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2014.
David Simons comes to the Trust with specialist financial skills from the commercial sector. From his early days in accountancy David's career has seen him achieve senior roles in construction, contracting and the provision of outsourced services. He has served as Chief Financial Officer, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman with GSH Group plc and has recently taken up appointments as part time executive Chairman of Facilities Services Group and Chairman of Liberty Gas, both divisions of Spice plc.
David said: "I am delighted to join the Board of University Hospital. I am certain my experience will be of benefit and am looking forward to contributing to the Board as it meets the challenges of the future."
Robert Collins has held director posts in both the private and public sectors. He has a strong background in finance and has developed particular expertise in contract negotiations and developing grant aid programmes. Robert has been heavily involved in regeneration programmes with both Stoke-on-Trent City Council and the commercial sector. He currently runs his own company.
Robert said: "Having spent the majority of my life living and working in North Staffordshire I am delighted to be involved with an organisation which has such a fundamental impact on the local population."
Announcing the appointments, Trust Board Chairman, Mike Brereton, said: "I am delighted to welcome David and Robert to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire Board. The particular skills and experience they bring to our team will be invaluable to us as we manage the current and future changes in the NHS and bring the Fit for the Future programme to fruition."
David Simons will take over the role of Chair of the Audit Committee from Keith Norton who is stepping down after 20 years in the NHS as a non-executive director, four of them with University Hospital. Keith joined the Board as Interim Chairman from January to March 2006 and was subsequently appointed as Non-executive director from October 2006.
Ian Tordoff will stand down in June after his four year term of office as a result of his work commitments taking him away from North Staffordshire.
Mike Brereton paid tribute to both his retiring non-executive directors. He said: "I am very grateful to both Keith and Ian for the contribution they have made to our hospital. Both have brought valuable skills and insight and have performed their roles admirably. Keith deserves special mention for his long-term commitment to the NHS. His wealth of knowledge and experience enabled him to provide stability and guidance when he first joined us as Acting Chairman and he has continued to challenge and help steer the Board, especially in his role as Chair of the Audit Committee and Deputy Chairman. Our best wishes for their future go to both Ian and Keith."
Mike Brereton is also delighted to announce that Kevin Fox has been re-appointed to serve a further four year term as a non-executive director from 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2014. Mike Brereton said: "Kevin is a hugely enthusiastic member of our Board and his support in a number of different areas has been much appreciated by our staff. I look forward to continuing to work with Kevin through his next term of office."
The two new appointments and one re-appointment have all been made by the Appointments Commission in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments' Code of Practice. Each with receive a remuneration of 6,096 pounds, which is the current rate of remuneration for Acute Trust Non-executive directors.
All non-executive appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees' political activity (if any declared) to be made public. David Simons, Robert Collins and Kevin Fox have all declared no political activity in the last five years and do not hold any other ministerial appointments.
University Hospital of North Staffordshire is the largest hospital in the area. It provides a wide range of acute clinical services for a population of half a million in Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle-under-Lyme, the Staffordshire Moorlands and surrounding areas, and specialist care for a population of around three million in an area covering Staffordshire, Cheshire, Shropshire, Derbyshire and Wales.