New chair appointed at NHS Tayside

Professor Nic Beech has been appointed as NHS Tayside’s new chair.

The vice principal, provost of the University of Dundee has been a non-executive member of the board since 2018, and was appointed as the new chair by health secretary Jeane Freeman MSP.

He will replace Lorna BirseStewart, who has been standing in as interim chair since June.

The interim chair told NHS Tayside’s board meeting in Ninewells Hospital yesterday:“I am delighted to say that one of our own cohort has been appointed as NHS chair.

“That bodes extremely well for the organisation. He has asked me to stay on as vice chair.”

She said they will be working closely together over the next two months to ensure a smooth handover. She added:“We will be in very safe hands.”

Chief executive Grant Archibald thanked Ms Birse-Stewart for the “outstanding”job she had done as chair“packing more into the last four or five months than many pack into a career.”

He said her leadership and governance has been“exemplary” and he was pleased she would continue as vice chair.

Ms Birse-Stewart, who hails from the Dunkeld area, thanked the “exceptional staff”at NHSTayside and particularly highlighted the work of the“often unthanked staff”who work behind the scenes.

Professor Beech’s academic background is in business schools and his research has focused on identity and change leadership.

Chief executive Grant Archibald welcomes the appointment of Professor Beech saying:“He is already an active member of our board and I look forward to working with him as NHS Tayside continues to transform its services across Tayside.”