Following approval from the James Paget’s Council of Governors, the Trust is pleased to announce that Mark Friend has been appointed to the position of Chair of the Board of Directors.
Mark has been a Non-Executive Director at community and mental health provider North East London NHS Foundation Trust since 2015, where he was appointed as Senior Independent Director in 2018 and has chaired the Finance and Investment Committee since 2020.
Mark’s background is in media, strategy and digital, working for the BBC since 1997, most recently as Controller of Digital Services, BBC Radio & Education from 2007 to 2019. He is also currently Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit Committee at the Provide Community Interest Company, a Trustee of the Artis Foundation since 2018, and a Trustee of the National Centre for Circus Arts since 2022.
Mark will take up the role of Chair for the James Paget from 1 October 2023. Stephen Javes will continue to fulfil the role of Interim Chair up to that date.
Mark said: “I am delighted to be joining the Trust as Chair and look forward to working with all of the staff, our partners, and those who use our services to deliver the best outcomes for people in Norfolk and Waveney.”
Lead Governor Ian Clayton said: “On behalf of the Council of Governors, we are pleased to approve the appointment of Mark to the position of Chair of the James Paget. Mark’s experience of working within leadership, both within the NHS and across a diverse range of sectors, will provide a fresh insight and focus for our hospital at an important juncture in our history.”
Chair of NHS Norfolk and Waveney, and member of the James Paget Chair recruitment panel, Rt Hon Patricia Hewitt, said: “I am delighted to see Mark’s appointment to Chair at the James Paget, and welcome him to the Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care System. Mark’s leadership and areas of expertise will be of significant value to both the James Paget and the development of health and care in our area.”