Newcastle hospital boss appointed

A new chairman has been appointed to run Newcastle's hospitals.

Sir John Burn joined the NHS more than 40 years ago as a trainee medical student, before making huge strides in genetic research.

His first priority will be to appoint a new Chief Executive, after Sir Len Fenwick was dismissed in August.

Professor Sir John Burn is Professor of Clinical Genetics at Newcastle University.

He graduated from Newcastle University with a first class honours in Human Genetics in 1973 and an MBBS in 1976, and completed an MD in 1991.

He led the regional NHS Genetics Service for 20 years and helped to create the Centre for Life.

Sir John chairs Newcastle based DNA device company QuantuMDx.

He is a non-Executive Director of NHS England.

Sir John was knighted in 2010, chosen as one of the first 20 ‘local heroes’ to have a brass plaque on Newcastle Quayside in 2014.

He received the Living North award in 2015 for services to the North East 2000 – 2015.