Experienced healthcare and education leader joins our Board of Directors

Image of Karen Cox, Non-Executive Director, smiling

Published: 9 September 2026

Dr Karen Cox has joined our Board of Directors as a Non-Executive Director.

Karen brings more than 35 years’ experience across healthcare and higher education, with a career spanning nursing, research, teaching, leadership and governance.

After training as a nurse at King’s College London, Karen worked in cancer, palliative care and community healthcare before moving into senior academic and leadership roles. She went on to become Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kent, where she played a key role in establishing the Kent and Medway Medical School.

Alongside her executive leadership experience, Karen has served on a range of healthcare, education and public sector boards. She is currently Vice-Chair and Trustee of North Devon Hospice and a Non-Executive Director of Health Innovation South West.

Karen joins the Board at a time when we are continuing our work to improve services for local people, support our workforce and strengthen partnerships across health and care.

Dr Martin Beaman, Chair, said: “I’m delighted that Karen has agreed to join our Board. She brings a valuable combination of experience, curiosity and commitment to public service, together with a deep understanding of both healthcare and education. I know she will make a significant contribution to our Board discussions and to the work we are doing to improve services for the people and communities we serve.”

Dr Karen Cox said: “I am very pleased to be joining the Trust Board. The services provided by the Trust play a significant role in the lives of many people and families in the local community and I am looking forward to supporting this work to improve care and services for the benefit of patients and their families.”

Non-Executive Directors bring independent experience, support and challenge to Board discussions and play an important role in helping NHS organisations make good decisions on behalf of their patients, staff and communities.

Karen’s appointment further strengthens the breadth of experience and expertise available to the Trust Board as it continues to deliver health and care services for people across Torbay and South Devon.