New NExT Director joins UHDB
UHDB has appointed a new NExT Director to join our Trust Board as part of an innovative NHS initiative. Alan Smith, is an experienced leader who will join the board in a non-voting capacity on 1 February 2022.
The Trust first participated in NHS England/Improvement’s NExT Director scheme last year, which saw Pamela Gupta and Roy Shubhabrata spend a year as aspiring Non-Executive Directors.
Alan has spent 10 years of his career in the NHS at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals in patient experience roles. He supported the Department of Health with their national volunteering strategy and over the last few years has held Senior Leadership roles in education and housing, most recently as Director of Customer Experience at Halton Housing. He holds a BA and MSc in management and leadership in healthcare and has a history of advocating for patients and leading projects which improve patient and customer experience. As a role model and member of the LBGTQI+ community, Alan has been proactive in representing and advocating for underrepresented groups throughout his career.
Dr Kathy McLean OBE, Chair, said: “I’m delighted we have been able to appoint Alan to this role. Alan has a wealth of experience both within the NHS and in other sectors which will support him in his role as a NExT Director.
“The NExT Director programme is an important development opportunity in the NHS and I’m pleased we are able to support it here at UHDB.”
Alan said: “I am delighted to be returning to the NHS, I have great admiration and pride in the work we do and look forward to supporting a forward thinking, innovative patient focused Trust as part of the exciting NExT Director programme.”