New Chair of NHS Cumbria appointed

NHS Cumbria has announced that Ian Gordon has been appointed by the Appointments Commission as the substantive Chair of NHS Cumbria, the county’s primary care trust.

Ian has been acting as Interim Chair since October 2011 following the resignation of NHS Cumbria’s former Chair Mike Taylor who moved to become Chair of Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

The new term will oversee transitional arrangements as primary care trusts are dissolved under government plans contained in the Health and Social Care Bill currently being reviewed by Parliament.

Ian Gordon joined the NHS Cumbria Trust Board in March 2007. His career as a civil servant includes almost 10 years in London, first with the Department of Energy in the 1970s and subsequently as the Head of the Scotland Office (1999 to 2002) in support of the Secretary of State for Scotland within the UK government, following devolution.  He also worked in Scotland, latterly as director for service policy and planning in the Scottish Executive’s health department.

He said: “I have been on the board of NHS Cumbria for some years, and I am very proud of what has been achieved in developing the role of the GPs as commissioners of health services. This has included the strengthening the focus on public health, securing improvements in the running of our community hospitals and by building integrated care teams with social care services.

“I am pleased to have this opportunity to help steer the primary care trust through the next years so that we ensure a smooth transition for the new clinical commissioning group.”

The appointment has been made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments’ and the Department of Health’s Codes of Practice.

All non-executive appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees political activity (if any declared) to be made public.

Ian Gordon has no declared political activity and does not hold any other ministerial appointments. He will receive a remuneration of £36,779 per annum for this appointment.