AN accountant has been named as the new chair of the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust – the troubled health authority that is in millions of pounds of debt.
Mrs Caragh Merrick takes over from Harry Turner who left at the start of this year with the authority in special measures following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission.
Mrs Merrick, who has lived in Worcestershire for more than 30 years, will start at the Trust on September 12, 2016.
The trust’s interview panel felt her strong leadership background and expertise would prove invaluable as it moved through its improvement journey.
All appointments are subject to the Code of Practice of the Commissioner for Public Appointments, and made following an open competition based on merit, in a way that is open, transparent and fair to all applicants.
Dale Bywater, NHS Improvement Executive regional managing director said: “The panel were impressed not only by Caragh’s experience but also by her commitment to improving services for local people. She will bring the stability and vision which will enable the organisation to continue its improvement journey.”
Mrs Merrick is a chartered accountant who has spent her career in Audit and Assurance, starting with Deloitte Haskins and Sells in 1997 as trainee before rising to senior audit partner and member of the UK Assurance Board of Pricewaterhouse Coopers between 1999 and 2002.
She then operated as an independent consultant until 2008, providing strategy and board development services, principally in the public sector, to develop effective corporate governance.
Her current board roles include honorary treasurer and member of the council of University of Birmingham and trustee and chair of the finance committee of the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
Mrs Merrick has been appointed for a period of four years and will receive a remuneration of £40,000 per annum. No political activity has been declared in the last five years.
