Pictured: New Associate Non-Executive Director Harry Catherall
East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust (ELHT) has strengthened its board of directors with the appointment of Harry Catherall as the Trust’s newest Associate Non-Executive Director.
Harry began his career as an apprentice accountant at Tameside Borough Council aged 16. He moved into management at Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council, joining Blackburn with Darwen Council in 1997 as it prepared to be a unitary council. He was the Chief Executive from 2012 until his retirement earlier this year.
Professor Eileen Fairhurst, Chairman of East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust said:
“I am delighted to welcome Harry onto our board of directors and look forward to him making a major contribution in helping us meet the health and care needs of our local population.”
“Harry brings unrivalled knowledge and a wealth of leadership experience that will prove invaluable as the Trust responds to the significant operational and financial challenges facing NHS organisations and our social care partners.”
Harry took up his new appointment for an initial period of two years, commencing 1 July 2019.
The Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, Councillor Mohammed Khan OBE, said:
“Harry’s experience, expertise and leadership abilities will be put to good use in this important role. He cares deeply about this borough and I’m very pleased he’s going to be contributing to vital partnership work which directly impacts on the communities we serve. Maintaining high quality and safe services is something we all know make a huge difference to people.”
Harry Catherall, the former Chief Executive of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, said:
“Throughout my career I’ve working closely with health and social care services and have seen the massive impact that excellent, joined up services can have on people’s quality of life.
“We see far too many people in East Lancashire being held back from living the life that they deserve due to poor health.
“We are all rightly proud of our NHS services and want them to be the very best. I feel extremely privileged to be part of the ambitious plans for the future of our local services.”