25.04.19
Special measures trust appoints new chair from neighbouring trust
A special measures trust has appointed David White, the current chair of East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT), as its new chair.
White will take up his new role as the chair of Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS FT in June 2019, after Mark Davies announced he was leaving amidst reports of a “bullying culture” at the trust.
He leaves ESNEFT after four years, and he was part of the leadership team which oversaw the successful merger between Ipswich and Colchester hospital trusts last year.
David White said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed being chair of ESNEFT. I believe we have an excellent group of staff and the potential for our new merged organisation is significant.
“I am very confident that I am leaving ESNEFT in a strong position to move forward now, and wish the staff every success for the future.
“The opportunity to become chair of my local trust in a part of East Anglia that I know well and live in was irresistible. The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is a teaching trust that has the potential to be outstanding and I am very much looking forward to being part of that.”
White started his career as a social worker in London before becoming a director of social services and then moving to East Anglia as chief executive of Suffolk Health Authority.
He spent four years in charge of Thurrock Council and then joined Norfolk County Council until he retired in 2013 after which he joined ESNEFT.
John Fry, current chairman of NNUH, said: “It has been an enormous privilege to serve as chairman at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals – our staff are dedicated, talented and extremely caring and the trust is firmly set on its journey to outstanding.
“I am delighted that David has been appointed to the trust as he brings with him very relevant experience from his roles in hospitals, the wider health sector and significant local knowledge from both his role as chief executive of Norfolk County Council and living in Norfolk.”
Mark Davies, NNUH chief executive, added: “We look forward to welcoming David to the trust and benefitting from his experience and insights to steer us on this next part of our journey to outstanding.”