West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust appoints non-executive director

The West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust (WHHT) has appointed a substantive non-executive director.

Natalie Edwards joined the board of WHHT as an associate non-executive director in March 2019, now, as a substantive non-executive director, Natalie has full voting rights and will work to ensure the board acts in the best interests of patients and the public.

Acting as critical friends, non-executive directors hold the executive directors to account, also working with them to formulate strategy by bringing independent, external perspectives.

Natalie brings 20 years' extensive human resources experience working in both strategic and operational roles, with a strong track record of delivering commercially focused people strategies and transformation programmes.

Her positive experience of the trust’s maternity services drove her interest to work with the board.

Natalie chairs the trust's ‘people, education and research’ committee, a member of the remuneration committee, and the nominated reserve non-executive for the audit committee.

She also takes up the newly created role, ‘Guardian of Wellbeing’, seeking assurance that the trust’s wellbeing strategy continues to meet its goals.

Passionate about equality, diversity and inclusion, Natalie is looking forward to working closely with the trust’s BAME Connect Network.

Trust chairman Phil Townsend said: “Natalie’s appointment as non-executive director is greatly welcomed.

"She has flourished during her time as an associate non-executive director and I look forward to having her input as a full member of the board.”