Tuesday, 21 April 2009 W09360-Hlt

NEW LOCAL HEALTH BOARD CHIEF EXECUTIVES APPOINTED

The Chief Executives of the new Local Health Boards (LHBs) in have been appointed, NHS Wales Chief Executive Paul Williams announced today [Tuesday, 21 April].

The recruitment attracted interest from candidates from Wales, across the UK and internationally.

The new Chief Executives have been appointed ahead of new LHBs being established in June. The new LHBs become fully operational from 1 October.

The new organisations will take on the responsibility of the current 22 LHBs and seven NHS Trusts. The Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust and Velindre NHS Trust – the specialist cancer Trust - will continue. Proposals are out to consultation to establish the Public Health Wales NHS Trust to take on the role of several public health-related organisations including the National Public Health Service and Wales Centre for Health.

The new Chief Executives are:

• Mr. David Sissling – Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University LHB. Mr Sissling worked in the Merchant Navy and industry before joining the NHS in 1993 as part of an Executive Development Programme designed to identify and develop people from outside the NHS who showed Chief Executive potential. He then became a Chief Executive in 1998 of a major teaching hospital followed by Chief Executive posts at Health Authority and Strategic Health Authority level. From 2006 to 2008 he worked at Permanent Secretary level in the Health and Social Care Authority in Northern Ireland and is currently Programme Director for Healthcare for London. Mr Sissling has particular experience in leading large-scale organisational and service change across a health and social care system in a devolved administration and is a very experienced Chief Executive. • Dr. Andrew Goodall – Aneurin Bevan LHB. Dr Goodall has worked in the NHS in Wales since 1991 and has worked in the Value for Money Unit, Morriston Hospital, Bro Morgannwg NHS Trust and Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust. He was appointed Chief Executive to Neath Port Talbot LHB in 2005 and is currently leading Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and LHBs as well as undertaking the role of Transition Director for Abertawe Bro Morgannwg health community. In 1996, Dr Goodall obtained a Ph.D in Health Services Management from Cardiff business School. He has led and overseen key organisational and service changes and combines strong operational and Trust experience with the broader strategic role required in an LHB where planning and partnership working are key. • Mrs. Mary Burrows – Betsi Cadwaladr University LHB. Prior to joining the NHS in Wales as Chief Executive of North East Wales NHS Trust on 2007, Mrs Burrows worked in the USA, Saudi Arabia, and Wales moving from Pathology services into Quality and Safety Management to Chief Executive posts in a Primary Care Group and Primary Care Trust. Since 2007, Mrs Burrows been Chief Executive of the North Wales NHS Trust and Transition Director for North Wales. In addition, she has been a Non executive Board member of the West Northamptonshire Development Corporation. She has a Masters of Law from University of Wales, Cardiff, and MBA from University of Leicester and was awarded an Honorary MBE in 1996 for services to the NHS. Her public health, primary, secondary and tertiary care experience combined with private sector and local government experience both within and beyond the UK will bring a different perspective and learning to the Health board. • Mrs. Jan Williams OBE – Cardiff and Vale University LHB. Mrs Williams joined the UK NHS Graduate Management Scheme in 1980 and moved rapidly through a series of posts at Health Authority and hospital level until appointment as Chief Executive of Llanelli/Dinefwr NHS Trust in 1992. Mrs Williams then became Chief Executive of West Health Authority/Iechyd Morgannwg Health Authority in 1996 and Bro Taf Health Authority from 1999 to 2003. She has also held senior posts in the Welsh Assembly Government and in 2004 became Chief Executive of the National Leadership and Innovation Agency for Healthcare in Wales. Since 2008, she has been Transition Director for Cardiff and Vale Healthcare Community. Mrs Williams has an MBA from Cardiff Business School. She has senior leadership experience across the whole healthcare system in Wales with a strong track record in organisational leadership and development and innovative system design. • Mrs. Margaret Foster OBE – Cwm Taf LHB. Mrs Foster joined the NHS in Wales as a National Administrative trainee in 1974. She moved through a series of managerial posts and was appointed Chief Executive of East Glamorgan NHS Trust in 1994. She led the organisation through several subsequent mergers until 2008 when she was appointed Chief Executive of Cwm Taf NHS Trust in 2008. She is also Transition Director for Cwm Taf Healthcare Community. Mrs Foster has an MSc Econ in Social Policy Research from the University of Cardiff and has also been a Non Executive Director of the Principality Building Society, RFC/Celtic Warriors and a Governor of University of Glamorgan. She has extensive Board experience both within and outside the NHS on Boards with a social responsibility role. • Mr. Howard Waldner - Hywel Dda LHB. Mr Waldner joined the NHS in Scotland as a Management Trainee in 1972. Following a series of management posts in personnel, planning and general management, he was appointed Chief Executive of Dundee Teaching Hospitals in 1991.In 1999, he moved to Canada and has held the posts of Executive Vice- President & Chief Operating Officer and President & Chief Operating Officer of a Health Region and a Health Authority. He has also been an Associate Professor in the University of Calgary and Adjunct Professor in the Department of Health Care and Epidemiology in the University of British Columbia. Mr Waldner will bring senior leadership experience in both the Scottish NHS and the Canadian Healthcare System to the Health Board.

Paul Williams said: “I am pleased to be able to announce the appointment of the new Chief Executives to lead the new LHBs in Wales at this exciting time.

“I was impressed with the calibre of applicants for these posts and believe that we have chosen people who have the skills and experience to deliver the organisational changes within the NHS, which will ultimately improve patient care and the working environment for staff.

“I appreciate that a time of change can be an uncertain for staff, but let me assure all staff, that the Health Minister, Edwina Hart, and I have been clear on the importance of retaining the skills of staff to run the new organisations in NHS Wales.

“I believe that over time there will be significant benefits for patients and staff, with better joint working, swifter access to services and more career opportunities.”

Notes:

Candidates for the Local Health Board Chief Executive positions have been drawn from an international field attracting some 47 expressions of interest.

Following an extensive and rigorous selection process, including the evaluation of CVs and two interviews, 17 candidates were identified, with 11 shortlisted for interview.

All Chairs Designate have been involved in the appointment process.