13 January 2012

The Appointments Commission has approved the appointment in principle of Mr Stephen O’Brien as Chair of the new trust which will be established should the merger of Barts and The London NHS Trust, Newham University Hospital NHS Trust and Whipps Cross University Hospital NHS Trust be approved by the Secretary of State for Health. This appointment will become substantive when the new organisation is established.

Professor Mike Spyer, Chair of NHS London said: “I am confident that Stephen’s wealth of experience, skills and attitude will prove an asset if the proposed merger goes ahead. I look forward to working with Stephen to deliver world-class healthcare for Londoners.”

Mr O’Brien has been the Chair of Barts and The London NHS Trust since March 2010 and previously Chair of NHS Tower Hamlets. He is Vice President of Business in the Community and a former Chairman of London First, the influential business campaign group which works to support and shape London’s future. Mr O’Brien has lived and worked locally for 25 years.

This appointment in principle has been made by the Appointments Commission in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments’ Code of Practice. 

All non-executive appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees' political activity (if any declared) to be made public. Mr O’Brien has no declared political activity.  He currently holds one ministerial appointment as Chair of Barts and The London NHS Trust, which will conclude with the authorisation of the new trust.

Notes to editors

• The proposed merger of Barts and The London, Newham and Whipps Cross University Hospitals, would create a single, joined-up organisation – which would be the biggest Trust in the NHS – bringing multiple benefits to patients throughout the new catchment area through the sharing of the best of the talent, technology and facilities across the three trusts.
• Subject to an extensive approvals process, the new trust would become operational from 1 April 2012.
• Barts and The London is one of Britain’s top teaching hospital trusts.  Our mission is literally to bring excellence to life – to give patients the best possible care so that they can live better, fuller, longer lives.
• Our world-renowned hospitals – St Bartholomew’s (Barts) in the City, The Royal London in Whitechapel and The London Chest in Bethnal Green – have made and continue to make an outstanding contribution to modern medicine. Read more about our full portfolio of services at www.bartsandthelondon.nhs.uk.
• Our £1 billion new hospitals programme is set to transform healthcare facilities locally. When completed the new hospital at The Royal London will be the biggest new hospital in the country, while the new buildings at Barts will house a brand-new cancer hospital and cardiac centre.