Non-Executive Directors join NHS Trust Board

Published: 16 January 2018

Two new non-executive directors have been appointed to join the Board of Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust.

Paul Richards joined the Trust on 13 November 2017 and Vikki Matthews started in her post on 1 December 2017, both for an initial term of three years.

Paul owns a local business, a visitor attraction and conservation project, employing over 20 local people throughout the season.

He has a solid background in running large businesses and in the NHS. He has extensive experience serving on Boards of a variety of Health and Social Care IT companies providing clinical and Electronic Record systems to health and social care providers internationally.

Paul has spent the majority of his career in leadership roles in major, international companies driving growth and sustainability. This includes decades of experience working with clinicians and senior executives world-wide.

During his career, Paul has driven the development of major systems and solutions to meet the need of clinicians and organisations world-wide. He has worked with some of the world’s leading organisations and clinicians at the forefront of digital transformation in the healthcare industry.

Vikki has worked at executive and senior leadership level in both public and private sector organisations, nationally and internationally. She has a wealth of experience in the areas of strategic planning, business planning, organisation design, culture change and leadership, and a track record of successfully helping organisations to navigate through change.

Most recently, Vikki was the Chief Talent Officer for the University of Plymouth. She also spent eight years working internationally for Nike, a multinational with a $30billion turnover and 60,000 employees, where she held a number of European and Global level Director roles between 2002 and 2010.

Vikki is currently Chair of a Multi Academy Trust which houses a nursery, Ofsted outstanding primary and a large secondary school.

Living in Kingsbridge, Vikki also runs her own strategic consulting and coaching business offering HR and talent services to medium sized and large organisations.

Welcoming Vikki and Paul to the Board, Sir Richard Ibbotson, Chairman of Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, said: “I am delighted that Vikki and Paul have joined the Trust’s Board. Both have strong, relevant experience across a wide range of services.

“Our non-executive directors play a vital role in running local health services in Torbay and South Devon and these appointments will help drive further strategic progress across the Trust. I am certain that the Board, and ultimately our patients, will benefit immensely from their vast experience of service.”

Speaking following her formal appointment, Vikki said: “I’m pleased to be joining the Trust’s Board as I am incredibly proud and passionate about the NHS. I’m looking forward to supporting the future development of the organisation in delivering the highest quality health and social care to our local population.”

Paul added: “I am delighted to be supporting the Trust in this role and am keen to assist in ensuring the Trust plays its part in the modern NHS to develop services and meet the needs of its local community.”

The role of non-executive directors includes contributing to the overall strategy of the Trust, scrutinising performance and making sure that financial controls, governance and assurance systems across the organisation are robust and transparent. They also work in partnership with the Trust’s governors who represent both staff and public members in local communities.

The appointments come after James Furse stood down in February 2017, and David Allen stood down at the end of November.