Announcement of new Chair appointment
March 3, 2021
The Trust is pleased to announce that NHS England/Improvement has confirmed the appointment of Sir David Nicholson KCB CBE to take up the position of Trust Chairman from 1 May 2021.
Richard Samuda is retiring at the end of April, having completed three terms as Trust Chairman, over the past nine years.
During that period the Trust has secured the approval for the new Midland Metropolitan University Hospital through the rigorous financial review process and progressed construction despite the change in contractor and the coronavirus pandemic. The new hospital will provide a legacy of improved healthcare provision for the population for decades to come as well as regeneration opportunities for the wider area.
Richard has been instrumental in ensuring the Trust has in place several key partnerships including those with primary care supporting the Trust’s key goal of being the best renowned integrated care organisation in the NHS. He has long committed to strong partnerships with different sectors including voluntary, faith and statutory organisations. He has played a key role in the Midland Met fundraising campaign to ensure that the new hospital is able to deliver more than just a hospital for the communities that it is designed to benefit.
He is looking forward to a well-earned break and maintaining his links within the local area.
Richard said: “It has been a real privilege to serve the population and the staff as Chairman. I have welcomed the contribution from so many Trust leaders, Non-Executive and Executive colleagues as we have jointly led the Trust through some significant achievements.
“The Trust is built by the people and I have met so many inspiring and dedicated colleagues who have put patient care at the heart of their service. I will continue to maintain my links to the local area and would like to thank the Trust’s partners who continue to work alongside us, recognising the strong collaborations we have formed to drive forward improvements in population health as well as care and treatment. I wish the Trust every success in the years ahead and am delighted that Sir David is taking the helm. His experience, knowledge and passion for the NHS and the people it serves will be a real asset to the Trust in moving forwards through recovery and restoration and the opportunities that the new hospital will bring.”
Sir David will retain his role as Chairman of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust which he has held for the past two years and is committed to leading both NHS Trusts through COVID-19 recovery and restoration, and beyond.
Sir David brings significant strategic and operational experience combined with knowledge of Birmingham and the Black Country, and a network of relationships that will benefit the Trust, STP and wider health and social care systems. He is highly supportive of the Trust’s strategic priority for partner based integrated care as a key under-pinning of the MMUH clinical and business case.
Sir David Nicholson’s career in NHS management spanned more than 30 years and included the most senior posts in the service. He was Chief Executive of the NHS for seven years from 2006-2013 and then, following a major national restructure, became the first Chief Executive of the organisation now known as NHS England from 2013-2014.
Since his retirement in 2014, he has taken on a number of international roles providing advice and guidance to governments and organisations focused on improving population health and universal healthcare coverage.
Sir David said: “I am very excited to be part of an organisation dedicated to improving health and tackling health inequalities and at the same time opening a fantastic hospital that will not only provide excellent healthcare facilities but will help regenerate the wider area.”
Richard Beeken, Interim Chief Executive said: “Richard Samuda has completed nine years of incredible public service as Chairman and helped the Trust make significant strides forward, for which we are very grateful. Sir David brings wisdom and considerable experience to the Trust and I have every confidence he will use this to best lead the Board for the benefit of the people we serve. I am looking forward to welcoming him to the organisation.”