South Tyneside man gets top job at NHS trust

Alan Richardson has been appointed as chairman of Northumbria Healthcare NHS and will be at the forefront of developing new models of integrated health and care services.

Mr Richardson has a wealth of experience running large and successful organisations, and has served on several boards, including Scottish Power Plc, Reyrolle Ltd and Glasgow Development Agency.  

He recently moved back to his native North East and lives in South Tyneside. 

Last year, the trust transformed emergency care across Northumberland and North Tyneside with the opening of the Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital and introduction of seven-day consultant-led specialist emergency care.

He said: “I am looking forward to starting my new role at such an exciting time.

“There are many challenges facing our health and care system and it is a privilege to join such a forward-thinking organisation which is at the forefront of change in the NHS and developing better models of care which are built around patient need. 

He succeeds Brian Flood, who has been chairman of Northumbria Healthcare since 1998 when the trust was formed.