Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust appoints new Chair

Following an extensive recruitment process led by the Trust’s Council of Governors, the Trust has announced that Sarah Betteley has been appointed as the new chair of HPFT and will take up post on January 1, 2021.

The Trust's current chair, Chris Lawrence will be stepping down at the end of this year as his term of office comes to an end.

Sarah, who is currently deputy chair, is a solicitor by profession and has extensive non-executive experience in the NHS, both with HPFT and beyond.

She has also previously held a number of senior executive commercial roles across BT, including acting as General Counsel to a major division.

Sarah has also acted in a consultant capacity with small businesses supporting them on strategy and growth development.

HPFT’s Chief Executive Tom Cahill said: “This is an excellent appointment for HPFT. Sarah will bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the Trust.

"I look forward to working with her as we continue with our tireless work to keep improving the quality of our services and the experiences and outcomes for our service users.

“We are also sorry to see Chris leave the Trust. He is an outstanding leader and advocate for people living with mental health issues and also those with learning disabilities.

"Throughout his time with us he has always kept our service users and staff at the heart of everything he does and lived our values.

"I’d like to thank Chris for all of his support and commitment over the last six years and I wish him all the very best.”

Sarah said: “‘I am delighted and extremely proud to have been appointed as Chair of HPFT. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as a Non-Executive Director and latterly as Deputy Chair, working as part of an incredible team in this Outstanding Trust.

“Chris will be a very hard act to follow: we have all benefitted from his strong leadership and HPFT has made tremendous progress under his stewardship.

"I am nevertheless excited by the challenge of taking on the responsibilities of the Chair role.

"I look forward to working with colleagues both within the organisation and in our wider health system as we continue to improve the quality of services we deliver for our service users and ensure that the needs of people with mental health issues and those with learning disabilities are well represented as we move forward within the Herts and West Essex Integrated Care System (ICS).”

Chris Lawrence, who has led the Board through the many successes achieved by the Trust throughout his six years as Chair, not least of which, last year’s Outstanding rating from the Care Quality Commission, said: "I am delighted that Sarah Betteley, my colleague as Deputy Chair and former Senior Independent Director, has come through the Chair appointment process successfully.

"Sarah brings high levels of professional skills, knowledge and experience to the role. She is eminently suited to take up the post and lead HPFT in playing its full part in delivering ever better outcomes for our service users, supporting our staff and in making a contribution as a key provider in the developing Herts and West Essex Integrated Care System (ICS).

“My congratulations to Sarah and my very best wishes for her and HPFT's continuing success.

"I am very much looking forward to supporting and working with her as she transitions into this role which it has been my privilege to hold for the last six years."