Heywood woman joins health trust board

Chris Mayer

The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust welcomed its new non-executive director at its recent April Board meeting.

The Appointments Commission’s Health and Social Care Appointments Committee has agreed the appointment of Mrs Chris Mayer from Heywood.

She started her position with the Trust on Monday 18 April for a four year period until April 2015.

Mrs Mayer was until 2010 Chief Executive of Her Majesty’s Courts Service accountable for the day to day operation of 550 court centres across England and Wales. With over 30 years experience in the justice system Mrs Mayer has worked in most areas of the court service both locally and nationally.

John Jesky, Trust Chairman, said: “On behalf of the Board I am delighted to welcome Chris Mayer to the Trust. Non-executive directors have a vital role to play in ensuring that communities are seen to influence and hold to account the work of the Trust in providing quality healthcare services for patients.

“Their responsibilities include helping the Board to work in the public interest, helping to plan for future improvements to hospital services, ensuring that the management team meets its performance targets and making sure that Trust finances are managed properly.”

The appointment of Mrs Mayer has been made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments’ Code of Practice.

All non-executive appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity (if any declared) to be made public. Mrs Mayer has not declared any political activity and does not hold any ministerial appointments. All non-executive directors of NHS Trusts receive a nationally set remuneration of £6,096 per annum.

Mrs Mayer said: ''I am extremely pleased to have been appointed to this role. I have lived in the area for many years and I am looking forward to the many different challenges that this role will bring and also working with colleagues to achieve positive change to services provided by the Trust for the benefit of patients and staff alike.”

Mrs Mayer will replace outgoing non-executive director, Haydn Griffith. In paying tribute to Mr Griffith, Mr Jesky said that he had joined the Trust Board at a time of significant change and had made an enormous contribution to the development of the Trust and had provided good advice. Mr Jesky formally thanked Mr Griffith for his interest, support and contribution to the Trust over the past five years.