Gary Page has been appointed as the new Chair of Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT). 

He was appointed to the board of Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust as a non-executive Director last year and is also Chair of Trustees for the Hoffmann Foundation for Autism who provide supported living and day services in North London for adults with autism.

Gary, who lives in Wetheringsett, Suffolk joins the Trust with vast leadership experience.

His executive career was in the financial services sector and since 2008 Gary has pursued a career as a non-executive director, initially in charitable roles.

The Trust’s current Chair, Maggie Wheeler is standing down this month after ten years as one of the eastern region’s leading ambassadors for mental health issues. Maggie said: “I am really pleased Gary is succeeding me as Chair and with Gary the Trust is in safe hands. 

“Gary has the right combination of skills, experience and values to lead the Trust in the right direction”. 

Gary takes up the role as Chair as the Trust faces a significant period of change. When asked about his new role, Gary said: “I am excited to be taking on this challenge at such an important time for the Trust.

“With the Government’s NHS reforms now in place and the implementation of our own Trust Service Strategy underway we are embarking on a period of great change. I look forward to working with the Boards of Directors and Governors, our dedicated staff, service users and carers and all other stakeholders to ensure that we take the right decisions and continue to provide the highest possible standards of care”. 

As a foundation trust the task of appointing a new Chair for NSFT falls to the Trust’s elected Board of Governors. Lead of NSFT’s Board of Governors, Guenever Pachent, said the appointment of Gary met with unanimous approval.

“Gary demonstrates empathy and compassion for mental health service users and this is reflected by the esteem in which he is held by service users, family carers and staff,” she said. “Gary’s significant commercial skills should help to enable this NHS Foundation Trust to compete successfully with the private sector for NHS contracts. The governors have unanimously approved Gary’s appointment to the post of Chair and wish him well in his new role.” 

 

Monarch Catering Services, Norfolk, Suffolk