Professor Robin Talbot to leave post as Chair

Professor Robin Talbot is leaving his post as Chair of North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust at the end of March 2020 after successfully overseeing a complex set of changes across the health economy.

Prof Talbot was appointed Chair of the former Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust in 2017, and subsequently became Chair of North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust in February 2019 prior to the merger of the two Trusts into North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust (NCIC).

During his time in post, he led the trusts through a series of parallel complex changes including the transfer of mental health services to new providers, the merger of the two trusts and the wider development of the North Cumbria Health and Care System which became one of the 14 areas piloted nationally in May 2018.  He also led the recruitment and appointment of Lyn Simpson as the new Chief Executive of the merged organisation.

Prof Talbot said, “As a newly merged organisation, the time is right for a new Chair to take forward our plans for the next three to five years as an integrated care trust. I’m very proud that I’ve achieved what I set out to do.  I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time here and met some inspirational and dedicated people over the last two years, I’m now looking forward to spending more time with my family and on other interests.”

 

 

Lyn Simpson, Chief Executive of NCIC said, “I would like to thank Robin for his hard work and success in leading the trusts through a complicated set of changes and developing plans to enable us to work more closely with our partners and the wider community.  Robin’s work has ensured we can now get on with the task of implementing our plans to improve the wellbeing of our population.”

Jane Smith, Lead Governor of NCIC said, “Robin has also been the Chair of the Governors’ Council since 2017 and managed the discussions that have taken place throughout the changes, enabling NCIC to have a Governors’ Council that now represents hospital and community services across the Trust. On behalf of the Governor’s Council, I would like to thank him and send him our best wishes for the future.”

The recruitment process for a new Chair will be led by the Governors’ Council and will begin during February 2020 in order to have a successor in post at the earliest opportunity.