New Non-Executive Director brings local government expertise

A new Non-Executive Director has joined the Board of Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, bringing with him extensive experience of working in and leading local councils. 

Richard Stiff retired as Chief Executive of Angus Council in Scotland in May 2017. Prior to Angus he enjoyed a long career in English local government mainly in education and children’s services departments holding senior posts with North Lincolnshire, Leeds and Dudley Councils.

Born and raised near Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk, Richard and his wife now live near Selby. He has two grown up sons and two grandchildren. He is a governor of Selby College, a director of a local authority-owned company and a trustee of TCV, the conservation charity. Away from work his interests include club cricket (at Hemingbrough in North Yorkshire), Ipswich Town FC, being outside and motorcycles.

Richard said: “I am delighted to have been appointed to the Board of Harrogate and District Foundation Trust. The NHS is the UK’s jewel in the crown and in Harrogate and District we have one of the best-run and best-performing trusts in England serving our communities.

“Children’s services and relationships with local authority commissioners have become ever more important to the Trust in recent years and I hope that my experience at a senior level in local government will help the Trust to maintain and develop high quality services in that area.”

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust cares for the population in Harrogate and the local area as well as across North Yorkshire and Leeds. It also provides children’s services in County Durham, Darlington, Middlesbrough and Stockton-on-Tees.

Chris Thompson, Vice Chairman at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are delighted to welcome Richard to the Board of Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust. We are commissioned by several councils in Yorkshire and the North East to provide children’s services, and his local government experience will be invaluable in helping us to achieve our vision and strategic objectives over the coming years.

“On behalf of the Board I would also like to thank outgoing Non-Executive Director Neil McLean for his expertise, input and insight over the past few years and wish him well in his new ventures.”

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Paul Widdowfield, Communications and Marketing Manager, [email protected] and 01423 557470.

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust is seeking to appoint a new Non-Executive Director.

The successful candidate will have Board-level or equivalent expertise in an expanding and complex enterprise. Applications are particularly welcomed from those with experience of working as a clinical practitioner at a senior level in the NHS, in a field which would complement that of the existing Board of Directors.

Experience should include a demonstrable track record of success and an understanding of, and commitment to, values of accountability, probity, openness and equality of opportunity.  Candidates should be strategic thinkers and experienced in leading and delivering complex organisational change. They will have excellent communication and listening skills, as well as being commercially and politically astute.

The time commitment is on average five days per month and the post will attract remuneration at the rate of c£13,000 per annum.

Sandra Dodson, Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust Chair, said: “This is an exciting role in a vibrant environment, providing the opportunity to be at the forefront of new thinking in today’s NHS. The Trust is a high-performing organisation rated as ‘Good’ overall and ‘Outstanding’ for caring services by the Care Quality Commission. With a vision to provide Excellence Every Time, the Trust places an unwavering focus on care quality and living up to its values of being Respectful, Responsible and Passionate.”

This role is not a new role, and is being advertised following the departure of a Non-Executive Director to join another NHS trust as Chair.

If you would like to learn more about this exciting opportunity, or to request an application pack, please contact Lynn Parsons, Executive Assistant to the Chairman on 01423 554423, or via email at [email protected]. Candidates must be, or be eligible to become, a Member of the NHS Foundation Trust.

Closing date for applications is 12pm on Monday 22 May, with interviews taking place week commencing Monday 26 June.