Cumbria's largest NHS trust appoints new chair

Steven Morgan has been appointed as the new chair for Cumbria's largest NHS trust. Credit: North Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust.

A new leader has been chosen to help run Cumbria's largest NHS trust.

Steven Morgan has been appointed as Chair of North Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust.

It comes after the current interim chair, Peter Scott, announced he was stepping down.

The trust runs the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle and the West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven.

Mr Morgan will take on the role as Chair in the coming weeks leading the Board of Directors and Governors' Council. 

He said: "The NHS has saved my life three times so I am more than motivated to help Cumbria's NHS prosper and do what I can to strengthen the Trust."


Who is Steven Morgan?

Mr Morgan has been a non-executive director of Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust since October 2018 where he served as Chair of the Finance Committee.

A dual American and UK citizen, he is an independent Copeland Borough Councillor in West Cumbria and member of the Borough Executive.

He is a former director at the UK's main nuclear site, Sellafield, and was the Executive Director for Capital Programmes and Projects at Heathrow, where he was responsible for the design and construction of Terminal 2. 

He was the Ministry Of Defence's Commercial Director responsible for the procurement of all military hardware and contracted services. He is currently and advisor to the Hinkley Point Nuclear project board of directors.

Mr Morgan has lived in the UK for 20 years and West Cumbria for many years.  Prior to that was a US Navy rear admiral and former Director of Logistics at the Defense Logistics Agency and was also Chair of a mental health hospital.

He is also a Fellow of the Institute of Civil Engineers and the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply as well as Cranfield University.

Lyn Simpson, Chief Executive, said: "We are delighted that Steven is joining us as chair. His skills and experience make him incredibly valuable to the Trust at this time and we are looking forward to working with him."

Jacqueline Nicol , Lead Governor, said: "On behalf of the Governors Council I would like to officially welcome Steven to the Trust and we are looking forward to working with him.

"His knowledge of Cumbria, gained as a long term resident, is an additional asset which we are lucky to have.  We extend our grateful thanks to Peter. He has led the Trust through difficult times and we appreciate his dedication and commitment. We wish him all the best for the future."


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