August 19, 2020 - 1305 views
Jo Whitehead has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.
Jo will join Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board from her current role as Chief Executive of Mackay Hospital and Health Service in Queensland, Australia.
After more than 30 years of experience working in healthcare in both the UK and Australia, Jo is now returning to her roots in North Wales.
Jo said: “It is a great privilege to have been given this opportunity to make a real difference to people’s lives and improve health outcomes across our communities across North Wales.
“I am determined to help the Health Board meet its challenges and provide health care services our communities and our staff can be proud of.
“I am looking forward to working in the NHS in Wales, and it really is a homecoming for me, North Wales is where I was born and grew up and so it is a real honour.
“For many years I have admired the partnership-focused structure of the NHS in Wales and the possibilities it provides for developing great, sustainable health care services and I am now looking forward to getting started.”
Mark Polin, Chair of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, said: “I’m pleased to welcome Jo back to the UK as our new Chief Executive. She performed very well in what was a competitive recruitment process and impressed the Health Board and partner representatives involved in her selection. She demonstrated a very strong understanding of the health and social care challenges in North Wales and a clear sense as to how they should be addressed.
“Jo will provide the leadership and experience the Health Board needs and I am looking forward to working together to continue to drive change and make improvements to our services.
“Jo has a wealth of experience in healthcare both in the UK and Australia, as well as strong connections to North Wales, which will be a great benefit.”
Jo will officially take up her role as Chief Executive on 1st January 2021 but will be engaging with the Chair, the Board and the Executive Team in the interim period.
Simon Dean, the Interim Chief Executive, will return to his role as Deputy Chief Executive of NHS Wales, with effect from 1st September.
Mark Polin said: “The Board and I are most grateful to Simon for leading the organisation at what has been one of the most testing times in its history and especially for the commitment he has displayed and the support he has provided to the organisation.”
Gill Harris, the Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Nursing, will perform the role of Chief Executive until Jo’s arrival in January.
Mark Polin added: “I have every confidence that Gill will lead the organisation well, supported by her colleagues, and that she, Jo and I will be able agree and pursue the direction and priorities for the organisation for the coming few months.”
