Jeremy Vanes, Chair of Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust FT, is to step down from his role at the end of this November.
As Chair, Mr Vanes has led the organisation during some of the most challenging times for the NHS including the Covid pandemic. One of his proudest achievements was the establishment of Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (BCHFT) in 2020, merging two predecessor organisations to enhance the quality of mental health, learning disability, and autism services across the Black Country.
In a message to staff, Mr Vanes, said:
“It has been my privilege to have served the patients and people of the Black Country alongside such hardworking, talented, and caring staff.
I want to thank you all for what you do day in day out making a difference to the lives of people who turn to the NHS in times of their greatest need.”
BCHFT is beginning a journey of change and improvement to deliver cultural and organisational development.
“Successful delivery of this change will require long-term, sustained commitment. My term as Chair was due to finish next year.
I have reflected on my role and concluded it would be better for the organisation for me to leave as this improvement journey begins rather than midway through,” said Mr Vanes.
Marsha Foster, CEO at BCHFT, said: “Jeremy is an incredibly passionate and dedicated leader, who has worked tirelessly advocating for the needs of the Black Country population.”
“Hugely experienced, he has been insightful and supportive not just to me but to the whole Board and wider staff community. We wish him all the best in his next chapter.”
The process to identify an interim Chair is underway to be followed in due course by the appointment of a permanent Chair.