New Chairman for Torbay Hospital

Published: 1 May 2014

The Council of Governors has today appointed a new chairman to lead the trust as it prepares to join forces with Torbay and Southern Devon Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust.

Sir Richard Ibbotson, a recently retired Admiral is due to take over from Acting Chair, David Allen, OBE, on 1 June. Richard’s long and distinguished naval career includes periods as Commodore of Britannia Royal Naval College, Commander British Forces Falkland Islands and, most recently, Deputy Commander-in-Chief Fleet (effectively Chief Operating Officer of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines).

As well as being knighted for his services, Sir Richard is a Companion of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath and holds the Distinguished Service Cross and the NATO meritorious service medal. He also holds other public roles, as a Deputy Lord Lieutenant for Devon, Governor of Plymouth University and Chairman of the Royal Navy Royal Marines Charity and was a Member of the Armed Forces Pay Review Body. Sir Richard is married with two grown-up daughters and lives near Plymouth.

Speaking of his appointment, Richard said: “I am delighted to be appointed to this role at such an exciting time in the history of the NHS. We have some real challenges in re-shaping health and social care services so that people are supported within their local communities to live well and stay well.

“It was a thorough privilege to meet so many happy and dedicated staff during my interviews and I am really looking forward to supporting them as we move forward in providing even better care for people in South Devon. I have much to learn and will be engaging with patients, staff and our partners in the coming weeks”.

Anne Harvey, Lead Governor, commented: “We had an exceptionally strong field of candidates for this role, which speaks volumes about the high esteem within which people hold Torbay Hospital. The governors are delighted to appoint Sir Richard Ibbotson as our next chairman and look forward to working with him very soon.”

Acting Chairman of the trust, David Allen, OBE, added: “Richard is an outstanding candidate to be the next chairman for Torbay Hospital. He is thoroughly familiar with our area and our communities and is exceptionally well networked within Devon. His life has been spent in public service and I believe he will be a tremendous asset to our health and care community. The board looks forward to working with him as we seek to integrate health and social care in Torbay and South Devon.”