Two new non-executive directors appointed to board of mental health trust

April 15, 2011 - PRLog -- Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (NWMHFT) is pleased to announce the appointment of two non-executive directors; Deborah Cadman, OBE and Brian Parrott.

The appointment of the two non-executives coincides with the exciting proposal to merge NWMHFT with Suffolk Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust.

Deborah Cadman will join the NWMHFT Board and Brian Parrott will join the Board of the Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation Trust once the merger is agreed.

Deborah Cadman is currently the chief executive officer of the East of England Development Agency. Although a Norfolk resident, Deborah has held roles in Suffolk, including chief executive officer to St Edmundsbury Council, and trustee for Suffolk Community Foundation.

Deborah said: ‘I am thrilled to have been appointed and look forward to working with the Trust, its governors and service users and using my experience and skills to support the Trust.

‘Working in the public sector for the last 27 years has given me a great insight into the need for a smarter, more business based approach to delivering the best services, ensuring that service user needs are met and protected.’

Brian Parrott is a former director of social services, former primary care trust chair, and has held a non-executive director role for Monitor, the independent regulator for NHS foundation trusts. He lives in Suffolk and has chaired Suffolk Family Carers since 2006.

Brian commented that, regardless of his wider interests and his consultancy work currently, his heart is in East Anglia and in trying to influence the best possible services for vulnerable children and adults and those who care for them. He said:

‘I am delighted at the prospect of joining a newly merged Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust at this critical time, subject of course to government approval, and to working with people across Suffolk and Norfolk to reduce mental ill health and it's social consequences.’

Maggie Wheeler, chair of Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust said:

‘We had some really strong applicants for these roles. I am so pleased that people are wanting to join the Trust. Deborah and Brian bring experience and knowledge from different backgrounds, and will really enhance the skills we already have on the Board.

‘Brian is very much involved in the Suffolk community, and Deborah has worked at a senior level in the county which will really help us as we move towards a merged trust’.

The Trust is still looking to appoint a third new non-executive director and the Chair is particularly keen to hear from those with a clinical background. Candidates must live in Norfolk or Suffolk. For an informal discussion please contact Maggie Wheeler, chair of the Trust on 01603 421421.

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Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust provides a range of specialist services that are dedicated to the care and recovery of anyone experiencing mental ill health or substance misuse issues across Norfolk and north Suffolk.