Sir David Henshaw New Chair of Alder Hey

24^th November 2010

We are delighted to announce that Sir David Henshaw has been appointed as our new Chair.

Sir David has been Chair of NHS North West for the last four years and amongst his many achievements, he was responsible for the review of the child support system in the UK in 2007. Prior to his time at NHS North West, Sir David was Chief Executive of Liverpool City Council and Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council. His outstanding track record in the public sector of delivering the highest quality of services and major capital developments will be pivotal in ensuring that we achieve our vision in delivering our new Children’s Health Park in 2014.

Louise Shepherd, Chief Executive, said: “I am delighted that Sir David Henshaw has been appointed as our new Chair. This is a tremendous appointment for Alder Hey. Sir David’s track record of achievement and a lifetime of public service speaks for itself. I have no doubt that he will be instrumental in helping Alder Hey realise our ambitions for providing world class healthcare in world-class facilities for the benefit of future generations of children and young people across Merseyside and the UK .”

Speaking of his appointment, Sir David said: “I feel hugely privileged to be joining the Alder Hey team as Chairman. Alder Hey is an extraordinary organisation providing great service to children, young people and their families and I look forward helping to take it forward both locally, regionally and internationally. Alder Hey does make a major contribution to the Merseyside knowledge economy but it will contribute a lot more in the future.

“During the appointments process which I really enjoyed, I was given a real opportunity to meet many of the impressive Alder Hey team, including some of the children and young people. I was able to share my own experience as a patient at Alder Hey and it is that excellent care which is at the heart of the organisation.”

Sir David will be replacing our former Chair Angela Jones who stepped down in October following a decade of inspirational guidance and leadership. A hugely popular and widely respected Chair, Angela welcomed the news of Sir David’s appointment and said: “I wish Sir David well in his new role at Alder Hey and I feel confident that he will continue the work that we started when we embarked on the journey to deliver our iconic new hospital in the form of the Children’s Health Park.

“We have made tremendous progress and the torch to continue our vision has now been handed over to Sir David. He is Liverpool born and is well aware of the need for our new hospital and we are fortunate to have such an experienced person as the new Chair. Sir David is a man of great experience, skill and determination and I trust that Alder Hey will go from strength to strength under his leadership. I look forward to celebrating our 100^th birthday and the opening of the new Children’s Health Park .”

Following a rigorous two day appointment process, Sir David was recommended by an Appointments Panel which consisted of members of the Nominations Committee of our Council of Governors. The recommendation was then formally presented to our Governing body who gave the appointment their full approval.

Roger Billingham, Senior Governor, said: “ This is a fantastic opportunity for Alder Hey as we aim to achieve our vision of a new world class children’s hospital. Sir David is born and bred in Liverpool and he understands the business we are in. He believes in the same vision and I believe he will get us there.”

We look forward to welcoming Sir David to his new role in the new year.

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