THE Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership Trust (AWP) has announced the appointment of a new chairman to its board of directors.

Charlotte Hitchings, current non-executive director and deputy chairman at 2gether NHS Foundation Trust will begin her three-year term on November 7.

Charlotte is also senior independent director and chairman of the delivery committee for 2gether Trust which provides specialist social and mental healthcare services across Gloucestershire and Herefordshire.

She has held senior management positions at BT plc and O2 plc and has her own executive coaching consultancy.

She said: “I am delighted to have been appointed as chairman of AWP, and to have the opportunity to contribute my experience and energy to the future development of the Trust.

“I want to support the organisation’s drive to continually improve services and to champion the importance of access to high quality mental health care for our communities. I look forward to meeting staff, service users and carers, and to working with them, the board and our stakeholders to ensure the delivery of high quality care and treatment to the people we serve.”

Trust chief executive Dr Hayley Richards said: “Charlotte brings a wealth of board level experience relating to delivery of mental health services, strong business acumen and a passion for service improvement. We are very pleased to welcome her to our board and we look forward to working with her.”

Charlotte replaces previous chairman Tony Gallagher who left AWP in July after completing his term of office.

The appointment was made by NHS Improvement, the health sector regulator responsible for appointing all chairmen and non-executives to NHS trusts throughout England.

Charlotte has no declared political activity and will receive a remuneration of £35,000 per annum.