BASINGSTOKE hospital has appointed a new chairman to lead its board into the next decade.

Elizabeth Padmore will take up her post with Basingstoke and North Hampshire NHS Foundation Trust on January 1 after Gordon Holdcroft steps down after two years at the helm.

Mrs Padmore is currently a company board director at NAGE and Clydesdale Bank as well as serving on a number of national and international boards in recent years.

Hospital trust chief executive Mary Edwards (pictured) said: “Firstly, may I express my sincere thanks to our outgoing chairman Gordon Holdcroft for his leadership through our initial years as a foundation trust.

“Liz is joining us at a challenging time for the NHS and I know she will lead us through this period with great expertise.”

The trust and the Council of Governors made the appointment by open competition.

Mrs Padmore said she was delighted to be joining the trust and its clinical and management team.

She said: “I feel sure that my strategic and commercial background, and my experience of working at senior level across the public, private and not-for-profit sectors will be a helpful addition to the board.”

Her appointment comes as the foundation trust welcomes hospital governors for three-year terms following an election.

The results were: Basingstoke and Deane (three public members)
- Dennis Huckerby (re-elected)
- Honora Smith (re-elected)
- Marie-Louise Chandler
West Berkshire, Hart and Rushmoor (one public member) - Tony Green
- East Hampshire (one public member)
- Allan Chick (re-elected)
Support Services (one staff member)
- Paul Bond
Other Healthcare Professionals (one staff member)
- Vicky Jarman
Administration, Clerical and Managerial (one staff member)
- Simon Barson
The Council of Governors has been in place since Basingstoke hospital became a foundation trust in December 2006.

Mr Holdcroft, who is stepping down from his term of office early to help care for his elderly parents who live outside the area, said: “We are really grateful that our members have taken the time to vote in these recent elections. All our governors provide support in our work to maintain high-quality patient care.”

The new governors started their term on December 1, and after their induction day will join the Council of Governors for their first meeting on February 2.

The Council of Governors can influence the strategy and hold the hospital board to account as well as be involved in the appointment of the chairman and non-executive directors. However, it does not have a role in the operational aspects of the trust.