NHS Walsall Re-appoints

NHS Walsall Re-appoints Four Non Executives

NHS Walsall is pleased to announce the re-appointment of four of its non-executive directors, David Gutteridge, Rajpal Virdee, Grainne Siggins and Ian French.  NHS Walsall is the main NHS body charged with meeting the health and needs of people of the borough of Walsall, West Midlands.

Mr Gutteridge is a retired finance professional and has previously worked for Tube Investments, British Leyland and GKN. He is currently on the Board of the Black Country Housing Association and Audit Chair of West Midlands Special Needs Transport. He is a Justice of the Peace, a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and holds a BA (Hons) Degree in History.  Mr Gutteridge has been a magistrate since 2004.

Mr Virdee has been the Head of the Equalities Unit for Birmingham Social Services Department until April 2010. He has a background within senior management in social services, of over 20 years. He is a Lay Member of the Employment Tribunal Service and has held a post at the Employment Tribunal, Judicial Services since 2003.  He is Deputy Chair of the Black Country Housing Association. He holds a BA Hons in Applied Social Studies and a qualification in Social Work Practice.

Miss Siggins is an Assistant Director of Older People and Carers for London Borough of Enfield. She has previously worked as Head of Health in Disability & Housing Support at Wolverhampton City Council and prior to this has held a number of senior roles in Occupational Therapy. Prior to returning to the Local Authority in 2007, Grainne spent ten years in senior management positions within a user-led organisation and registered charity, providing health & social care services in Sandwell & Dudley.  Grainne is currently studying for an MSc in Leadership for Heath Service Improvement at the University of Birmingham. Mr French is a Business Development Director for Hill & Smith Holdings PLC and is also a CA Traffic Director.  Mr French previously worked for PriceWaterhouseCoopers.  He holds a BA (Hons) Degree in Business Studies and an MSc in Manager and Organisational Development.

Mr Gutteridge, Mr Virdee and Miss Siggins have all been re-appointed, each for a four year term, with effect from 1st January 2010 until 31st December 2013. The re-appointment of Mr French is also for a four year term, from 1 June 2010 to 31 May 2014.  Each will receive remuneration of £7,882 per annum. As Audit Chair, Mr Gutteridge will receive a remuneration of £13,136. The appointments have been made in accordance with the OCPA Code of Practice.
 
All non-executive director 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.