Health board chairman resigns without chairing one meeting

Professor takes position down south after being made chief of body just last month

The new chairman of NHS Tayside has resigned before chairing his first meeting.

Professor Nic Beech, vice-principal of Dundee University, was appointed the board’s new chairman last month but is standing down after being appointed head of Middlesex University.

He will take up his new role as vicechancellor on February 1.

His departure from Dundee University comes just weeks after Professor Andrew Atherton resigned as principal of the university.

Professor Beech said: “It is with regret that I have to withdraw as chairman of Tayside but I have been offered a role which represents a career ambition.

“This does not in any way diminish my belief in the ambitious change programme in NHS Tayside and its leadership, and I was excited to be working with the team on a significant change and improvement project.”

He added: “It is a great honour to be appointed to Middlesex University. I am delighted to be joining at an exciting time as the university shapes its future strategy, building on the strengths of the faculties, collaboration with students and excellent partnerships.”

An NHS Tayside board member for 18 months, he attended its last meeting on October 31 but was not in the chair.

Health secretary Jeanne Freeman said Professor Beech will be concentrating “full time” on his academic career.

She said: “I wish Professor Beech well in his academic career.

“I have appointed Lorna BirseStewart, in her capacity as vicechairwoman, to take over the chair’s responsibilities in providing the necessary leadership for the board.

“Mrs Birse-Stewart brings a wealth of experience from her extensive work in the charitable sector and has been on the board for NHS Tayside since 2018.

I am confident that Mrs Birse-Stewart will continue to ensure that the people of NHS Tayside have the best care experience possible.”

Scottish Labour health spokesperson Monica Lennon said: “This is a disastrous appointment by Jeane Freeman.

“NHS Tayside staff had already raised fears that Professor Beech’s full-time duties at Dundee University as viceprincipal and provost, where he received a salary of up to £149,999 a year, would distract him from leading the troubled health board.

“They have been proven right. NHS Tayside needs stability and strong leadership. Patients and staff have every right to be angry.”

Professor Beech joined Dundee University in October 2014, having previously worked at St Andrews University, where he had been viceprincipal for governance, policy and planning.

In Dundee he was initially viceprincipal and dean of the college of arts and social sciences.

He played a major role in the academic restructuring of Dundee, which moved the university from four colleges to the current model of 10 academic schools, and has worked closely with the university executive group and the school deans.

He has also represented the university on a number of external bodies and has led on its liaison with V&A Dundee.

Professor Beech said: “I have been at Dundee for just over five years, in which time the university has enjoyed significant successes, including being named the University of the Year for Student Experience 2020.

“I will leave with many fond memories of the university and the city.”

Patients and staff have every right to be angry. MSP MONICA LENNON

Picture: GSR. Professor Nic Beech.