Media Release
14 October 2009

NHS South Gloucestershire is pleased to announce the reappointment of four of its Non-Executive Directors – Waseem Ahmed, Dr Melanie Gibbs, David Harwood and Susan Rickell. Mr Ahmed is Chair of the PCT’s Audit Committee.

Mr Ahmed’s, Dr Gibbs’, Mr Harwood’s and Ms Rickell’s reappointments started on 1 October 2009 and will run for a four-year term until 30 September 2013.

The reappointments have been made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments’ Code of Practice. Mr Ahmed will receive an annual remuneration of £13,136 for his role as chair of the Audit Committee while Dr Gibbs, Mr Harwood and Susan Rickell will each receive £7,882.

All non-executive appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity (if any declared) to be made public. None of the appointees has any political affiliations.

David Harwood worked at Filton College for more than 20 years as a teacher and their marketing officer before taking early retirement. He set up and became chief officer of Age Concern South Gloucestershire before formally retiring in 2003. He now works part-time at the Care Forum.

He said, 'I am pleased to be reappointed as a non executive director. I hope that we can continue to improve the patient experience and involve the people of South Gloucestershire in improving the health of everyone in the area.'

Melanie Gibbs comes from a manufacturing industry background and has a particular interest in lean enterprise, total quality and process improvement methodologies. She is vice chair of Gloucestershire Police Authority and also vice chair of the NHS South Gloucestershire.

She said, “My reappointment means I can continue to be involved in improving healthcare for the people of South Gloucestershire and I am looking forward to continuing this work."

Sue Rickell is a disability equality trainer and consultant with more than 25 years experience in disability equality, people and service development and has a social sciences degree from the University of Durham. Sue has worked extensively with statutory and third sector service providers and groups of disabled people as a facilitator and trainer, supporting the development of policy, practice and management processes which facilitate equality, choice and control for and with disabled and older people.

She said, "I am very pleased to have been reappointed as a non executive director and hope that I can be of real service and support to colleagues in the primary care trust and to the people of South Gloucestershire."

Waseem Ahmed works as head of internal audit and risk management at Computershare Investor Services plc in Bristol and has been with Computershare for five years. He has held the post of non executive director, and chair of the audit committee at NHS South Gloucestershire since Oct 2006. Prior to that, he worked for Zurich Financial Services for four years in the internal audit function looking at life assurance, pensions, investments and banking. He began his career with KPMG in Bristol, qualifying as a chartered accountant, and then spent a year with KPMG in Seychelles primarily working within the hospitality sector and financial services.

He said, “This reappointment enables me to continue my work with NHS South Gloucestershire where we are working to improve the health of those in the area, reduce health inequalities, provide care closer to communities and improve their experience of healthcare.”

For more information please contact Fiona Reid or Sue Pratt on 0117 330 2451/2499.