Trust welcomes new non-executive director and confirms two reappointments

THE Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust is delighted to announce the appointment of Robert Down as a non-executive director.

The Trust has also confirmed two reappointments to the board – Roger French as chairman and Pauline Geen as a non-executive director.

Robert Down has a background in the oil and gas industry, managing and leading the technical and financial activities of a large, complex multinational company.

He has a BSc in civil and structural engineering, is a Chartered Engineer (MICE) and is a fellow of the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants (FCCA).

For the past five years Robert has been a board member of North Devon Homes, where he is currently deputy chairman and also chairs the audit and risk committee.

Robert said: “I’m proud and delighted to have been asked to join the board of the Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.

“My daughter is a GP and my son-in-law is a consultant physician, both in North Devon, so I’m aware of some of the issues facing the NHS both locally and nationally.

“I’m looking forward to using my experience to help the Trust meet the challenges ahead while continuing to provide safe, high-quality and sustainable services to patients.”

Roger French has been reappointed Trust chairman for a further two years, until February 2017.

He also chairs the remuneration and terms of service committee, is a trustee of the Charitable Fund and is a member of the Charitable Fund and finance committees.

Roger joined the Trust as chairman in February 2011 having previously been a non-executive director of NHS Devon.

He is a qualified mechanical engineer who spent his working life in the private services sector, where he held chairman and chief executive roles in road transport, food and computer services.

Roger said: “It has been a great pleasure and honour to lead such a successful team and I’m very happy to have been reappointed as chairman.

“We should all be proud of the progress the Trust has made over recent years, particularly our pioneering work to integrate and transform health and social care services.

“We face a number of challenges in the short and longer term and I’m confident we have the right personnel in place to overcome these and take the organisation forwards.”

Pauline Geen has been reappointed as a non-executive director for a further two years, until March 2017.

Pauline joined the board in March 2011 and chairs the workforce and organisational development committee and is a trustee of the Charitable Fund.

She is the senior independent director for the Trust, the workforce board champion and the security management non-executive director.

She is also a member of the audit and assurance committee, the health and safety committee and the security management group.

Pauline worked for more than 30 years in the public and private sector and held key roles in administration, facilities management and customer service.

Pauline said: “I have enjoyed my work with the Trust immensely and am delighted to have been reappointed to the board.

“The next few years promise to be exciting and challenging for the NHS and I’m keen to play a part in our continued aim to provide the very best healthcare and services for the local population.”

Dr Alison Diamond, chief executive, said: “Robert brings a great deal of experience and knowledge to the table and will be a very valuable addition to the board.

“It is also excellent news that Roger and Pauline, as our chairman and senior independent director, will continue their association with the Trust for two further years.

“We are very fortunate to have board members of such a high calibre and they will all play a crucial role in the Trust’s development and drive to further improve the safety and quality of our services.”