MWL is pleased to announce the appointment of Steve Rumbelow as its new Chair.
Steve, who took over the role on the 1st May, has had a distinguished career in local government over the past 40 years.
He held key roles at Manchester City Council, Leeds City Council, Ashfield District Council, and Rotherham Borough Council before becoming the Chief Executive of Burnley Council and most recently Rochdale Borough Council, where he was also the Accountable Officer for the Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).
On his appointment, Steve said: “I’m excited to be taking up the role of Chair at such a high performing Trust that has a strong leadership team and proven track record of delivering high quality patient care.
“It is a challenging time for the NHS, which is facing significant pressures, but I know everyone at MWL will work through those challenges with an absolute focus on delivering high quality patient care and outcomes as it has done over many years.
“Over the last few years, I have been involved in developing integrated health and social care services at neighbourhood levels and with there being an increasing focus on community health services being supported by top class hospital facilities I am hoping my experience will help achieve this.’’
Steve replaces Richard Fraser, who has dedicated more than 10 years to the role after originally becoming Chair of the legacy St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals Trust in May 2014 and continuing in the role after the formation of Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust in 2024.
Richard said: “I wish Steve all the best as he takes on the role as the new Chair.
“It has been an absolute privilege and an honour to be in the role since 2014 and I have been incredibly proud to work alongside fantastic staff who deliver wonderful patient care every day.
“Our staff have had many achievements over the years, including being rated outstanding by the CQC and voted the best Acute Trust in England at the Health Service Journal national awards.
“My proudest moment however was during the Covid pandemic when our staff delivered the best possible patient care in the most difficult of circumstances during a period of time that none of us will ever forget.
“I would like to say a huge thank you to every member of our wonderful staff.’’
Rob Cooper, Chief Executive of MWL, said: “I would like to thank Richard for his outstanding commitment and contribution during his time as Chair. His guidance and leadership has been inspirational and he has been at the heart of the Trust’s development and success over the past 10 years.
“Steve will bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the role that will be of huge benefit to the Trust, and I look forward to working closely with him.’’