25 July 2022
We have recruited a new chair who will join the organisation in September.
David Jennings is a qualified accountant and auditor with 36 years’ experience in local government and the NHS.
David, who is currently a non-executive director at South Tees NHS Foundation Trust, said: “My appointment as chair is an immense privilege. My life story includes lived experience of mental health issues, as a service user and carer, and there is no greater honour than to serve a mental health trust.
“There is much we must do, and much we aspire to do. I will do all I can to help realise the plans and ambitions of the Trust.”
Our chief executive Brent Kilmurray said: “I am really looking forward to working with David, who is a highly experience non-executive director and has had an accomplished executive career. David has a passion for mental health services and the abilities to offer strong leadership to our board.
“He lives locally and is committed to the communities we serve.”
Lead governor Ann McCoy said: “I was impressed with David’s knowledge and vision for the future. His understanding of the part staff, governors, service users, and carers can play in taking the Trust forward was an important part of the decision to appoint him.”
David has worked for a number of years as a senior finance professional with Redcar and Cleveland County Council covering finance, IT, assets and the strategic capital programme. Before that he had 27 years working for the Audit Commission, as a district auditor and later as a senior inspector. He has previously been a non-executive director with TEWV.
Paul Murphy will remain interim chair until David takes up his new role.
