Two new non-executive directors for Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust

Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust have announced the appointment of Professor Raymond Playford and Mr Mike Leece OBE to the Trust Board.

Both have been appointed to serve as Non Executive Directors and bring with them considerable experience.

As deputy Vice Chancellor of Plymouth University, Professor Playford has oversight of the faculties of health and human sciences (including nursing, social work and the allied health professions), medicine and dentistry and science and technology. He is also a research and clinical gastroenterologist.

Mr Leece operates his own consultancy business and has held a number of NED appointments in the public and private sectors.  Prior to this, he was the Chief Executive of the Professor Raymond PlayfordNational Marine Aquarium in Plymouth, following nine years as a Chief Executive Officer for an international defence contractor.

Professor Playford said: “I am delighted to be joining the Board of Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust. The community of the South West deserve the very best in clinical care and I will endeavour to ensure that this is delivered in a safe, rapid and cost effective manner. My links with the University will also allow the very latest clinical developments Mr Mike Leeceand treatments to be critically assessed.”

Mr Leece added: “It is an honour to be appointed to the Trust Board, where I hope to contribute to the continued success of the organisation.”

Mr Richard Crompton, Chairman of Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “I am delighted to welcome Professor Playford and Mr Leece to the Board of Plymouth Hospitals, they will both be an enormous asset to the Trust.

“I am quite certain that the substantial experience and skills they will both bring will complement those of the existing members of the Board and be particularly important at this time.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the two Non Executive Directors who Professor Playford and Mr Leece will replace – Mrs Margaret Schwarz and Mr Ian Douglas. They have both been outstanding contributors to the Board since their appointment in 2007.”

Professor Playford will serve as a Non Executive Director from 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2017 and Mr Leece from 1 June 2015 to 31 May 2017.

Professor Playford and Mr Leece hold no other ministerial appointments and have declared no political activity in the last five years.

The annual remuneration that Professor Playford and Mr Leece will each receive for the position of Non Executive Director is £6,157.