The Appointments Commission has approved the appointment of Melanie Gibbs as the new chair of NHS South Gloucestershire.
Melanie Gibbs has been acting Chair of NHS South Gloucestershire since December 2009, after the death of Sir Chris Clarke who had chaired the primary care trust from September 2006. Mrs Gibbs has been a non executive on NHS South Gloucestershire’s Trust Board since April 2001 and, during her tenure, chaired the audit committee.
Penny Harris, chief executive of NHS South Gloucestershire, said: “We are delighted with Melanie’s appointment. She has already made an invaluable contribution to the work of NHS South Gloucestershire to ensure that residents have access to good quality healthcare and in driving forward our ambitious plans to bring healthcare nearer to people’s homes.
Speaking about her appointment, Melanie Gibbs said: “The purpose of NHS South Gloucestershire is to improve the health of all our residents and as its chair I will do my best to serve them”.
Melanie Gibbs comes from a manufacturing industry background and has a particular interest in lean enterprise, total quality and process improvement methodologies. A Chartered Physicist with a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, she has enjoyed roles in commercial, production, development and quality management. She is also currently vice chair of Gloucestershire Police Authority. Melanie has three children and lives locally to South Gloucestershire.
Appointment of all Chairs and non-executive directors to NHS Trusts is the responsibility of the Appointments Commission. All appointments made by the Appointments Commission are made on merit. The appointment has been made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments’ Code of Practice.
In accordance with the Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity (if any declared) to be made public. Mrs Gibbs has no declared political activity. She will be paid £34,152 a year for this appointment. Her term of office will start on 25 March 2010 and continue for four years until 24 March 2014.
Source: NHS South Gloucestershire
