Top businesswomen appointed non-executive directors
Chairman David Prior was today pleased to announce that Mrs Elizabeth Ollier and Mrs Philippa Foster Back OBE have been appointed as non-executive directors by the NHS Appointments Commission.
Elizabeth Ollier has 25 years experience in the NHS and 11 years in international health development working with the Department for International Development, the World Health Organisation and the Gates Foundation mainly on health strategy in developing countries. Prior to that she was Chief Executive of the Norwich Community Health Partnership NHS Trust before becoming Regional Director for HLSP Consulting, now part of Mott Macdonald. She also has worked actively with the voluntary sector, health support groups, national patient representation bodies and local community based charities and still has strong links in these fields.
Philippa Foster Back's background is in finance where she has over 25 years business experience, as a senior executive, with broad international management experience in a number of corporate sectors. She has been financial controller of two public companies, DC Gardner and EMI. Since 2001 she has been the Director of the Institute of Business Ethics, where her role is to raise awareness and assist companies develop an ethical dimension to their business activities. She is on the board of the Institute of Directors and chairs the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust. She is a Past President of the Association of Corporate Treasurers. In 2006 she was awarded an OBE for services to the Ministry of Defence, where she was formerly a non-executive director on the MoD Board and chaired the Defence Audit Committee.
Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital Chairman, David Prior, said: “I am delighted that we have been able to appoint two such high calibre individuals to the board of the NNUH.
“Philippa has held senior finance positions in a number of large commercial organisations as well as the MoD. She is also an acknowledged expert in corporate governance and business ethics and her experience will benefit us as the Government's reforms bring greater business discipline to the NHS.
“Liz has a deep knowledge of healthcare both in this country and overseas. She has particular experience in delivering healthcare in a community setting which will be of great benefit to the hospital as it develops alternative ways of delivering care.”
Elizabeth Ollier said “I am delighted to be joining the Board of the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital as I was born in the old hospital, worked as a volunteer there whilst I was still at school and have close links with the organisation. I hope that my knowledge of the local health economy together with my experience in global health management will enable me to contribute at this exciting time.”
Philippa Foster Back said: “It is a great honour to be appointed to the Board of the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, particularly at this time in its development. I was born in Norfolk, and this is the county of my roots so it is special to be able to contribute to such a key institution and support the excellent team running the hospital.”
The appointments have been made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments Code of Practice. All non-executive appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the Nolan recommendations there is a requirement for appointees political activity to be made public. Elizabeth Ollier and Philippa Foster Back have no political affiliations and no other ministerial appointments.
The appointments have been made for the period 1st November to 31st October 2011 and carry remuneration of £5,875 a year.
The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Trust provides acute healthcare for a population of up to 750,000 in Norfolk and north Suffolk and has been consistently judged one of the top-performing hospitals in the country.