Interim Chair announced

Date published: 03 February 2010

An Interim Chair of NHS Bury (Bury Primary Care Trust, PCT) has been announced as Kathy Reade, Chair of NHS East Lancashire, and a role she will resume when she has ceased to act in this capacity.

The appointment, approved by the Appointments Commission, comes following the retirement of Hilda S Harvey MBE who was the Chair for almost 8 years, following a period of ill health and commenced on 1 February 2010.

Kathy has a reputable career in public service. From her early days as a social worker in inner-city Manchester, her work in child protection and in the community, Kathy moved on to become a College and University Lecturer. She was a Burnley Councillor for 13 years, and Leader of the Council for 4 years. She was the Chair of the East Lancashire Health Authority before moving on as Chair of Cumbria and Lancashire Strategic Health Authority. She has also championed health on the Board of the North West Development Agency.

Speaking of the appointment, Kathy Reade said: "I have agreed to do a job of work as Interim Chair of NHS Bury at Sir David Henshaw’s request for the next few months. Mrs Harvey's commitment to the NHS in Bury as Chair of the PCT has been commendable and she will be a tough act to follow, but I am ready to turn my attention to the local priorities and challenges and I am looking forward to getting started."

Sir David Henshaw, Chairman of NHS North West said: "Kathy Reade has a track record of strong commitment to public service and I am grateful to her for taking on this interim appointment. Her wealth of public sector experience and working knowledge of the NHS should prove to be extremely valuable. I look forward to working with her in the vital task of improving the health and social care of the people of this area."

Kathy has declared no political activity and holds no other ministerial appointments. This appointment has been made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments’ Code of Practice and is remunerated at £36,779 per annum.