A new chair is being sought to lead the Board of Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust following the resignation of Commodore Steven Jermy RN.
Steven has taken the decision to step down from the position of Chair, having recognised that the role demands more time than he can currently commit. Last year saw the publication of his book, Strategy for Action, which has led to increasing calls on his time and expertise.
“I have decided, very reluctantly, to submit my resignation as Chairman, due to competing pressures on my time from my other business activities,” said Steven.
“Over the concluding months of 2011, I have been faced with an increasing number of invitations to lecture and consult on strategy, both in the UK and abroad. This is great news for me but together with a significant additional workload arising from my other area of interest, a renewable energy company which I co-own, this means I cannot take the Board and the hospital Trust forward in the way that is needed.
“It is clear to me that, as Plymouth Hospital NHS Trust’s journey toward Foundation Trust gathers pace, the Chair will need to invest even more time, which, given these emergent and competing pressures, I am no longer confident I can give. It seems best, therefore, for me to stand down now, so that a new Chair may be put in place.
“I shall be leaving with mixed feelings, disappointment to be going sooner that I had originally planned, but with very good memories of the many excellent clinicians, nurses, and health professionals with whom I worked in this fantastic hospital Trust.”
Steven joined the Trust as Chairman in November 2010 and was due to complete his term in October 2014.
Vice-Chair Mr Peter Burroughs will now take on the role of Acting Chair until a permanent Chairman is appointed by the independent Appointments Commission.
Mr Burroughs and Interim Chief Executive Helen O’Shea joined together to thank Steven for his time as Chair. Mr Burroughs said: “We recognise the contribution Steven has made in the 14 months he has led our Board and thank him for his time and commitment. We appreciate that it was a difficult decision for him to make to step down, but one that he has made in the best interests of the hospital Trust. We wish him every success in his future endeavours.”