New chairman for NHS Trust

NHS Improvement (NHSI) has confirmed the appointment of Mr Ben Reid OBE as Chair of The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH).

Mr Reid, a qualified accountant who lives in Worcestershire, is Group Chief Executive of the Mid-Counties Co-operative - which has outlets in Shropshire and Mid Wales - a position he has held for 30 years.

He is a former Director of the Co-operative Group and a former Director of the Co-operative Banking Group. Mr Reid is currently working part-time for the Co-op, with a view to full retirement later this year.

Alongside his current role, Mr Reid has held Non-Executive appointments including Chair of Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust (2004-2016) and most recently, Chair of Dudley and Walsall Mental Health NHS Trust. He has also held senior level positions with Lincolnshire Area Health Authority. He is currently Deputy Chair of Wolverhampton University and a Board Member of the International Co-operative Alliance.

Mr Reid’s previous Board roles include West Midlands Chair of the Learning and Skills Council, Chair of West Midlands Regional Assembly and Chair of various regeneration bodies.

Following his appointment, Mr Reid said: “I am delighted to be given the opportunity to Chair the Trust at this exciting time.  There are a range of challenges ahead of us, but it is clear that the Board and Management are determined to develop the service to ensure the population we serve get the quality of provision they deserve. I look forward to being part of that team and using my previous experiences to help steer us through to our shared objective.”

Non-executive appointments to NHS Trusts made by NHSI are subject to the Code of Practice of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.  

Mr Reid has been appointed from 1 February 2018 until 31 January 2021 and is entitled to receive a remuneration of £32,158 per annum, for which he is expected to devote two to three days per week for his duties as Chair. He has not declared any political activity in the last five years and has no other Ministerial appointments.

Mr Reid takes over from Professor Peter Latchford OBE, who was Chair from October 2013 until December 2017.