WYE Valley NHS Trust is welcomes two new faces to its top table this week - a new Chief Executive, Richard Beeken, and a new Chairman, Museji Takolia.

The appointment of Richard, who started today (Mon) was announced in February.

 This afternoon, the NHS Trust Development Authority (NHS TDA) confirmed the appointment of Museji as interim Chairman of the Trust.

Museji Takolia CBE said: “I’m very pleased to be joining the Trust. Whilst they face challenges ahead, this is a great opportunity to help a dedicated team of staff continue delivering improvements to patient care and ensure local health needs are met with excellent services. I look forward to working with the Trust and their local community, engaging with staff and stakeholders.”

Museji has a broad and diverse background in public services regionally and nationally. Previous roles include former non executive director on the board of Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and he was also the Group Chairman of Metropolitan Housing Partnership; a large group developing social housing, undertaking urban regeneration and supporting social care for vulnerable adults. 

With a strong interest in consumer issues, he has served two terms on the national boards of the former regulator of the NHS in England (the Commission for Health Improvement) and OFSTED respectively.

Museji has previously held senior management positions in local government, and has worked as a management consultant and also a former senior civil servant at the Cabinet Office.

Richard Beeken, who has 20 years’ NHS management experience, said: “We’re delighted at Museji’s appointment and we’re looking forward to welcoming him aboard.

“He brings a wealth of experience having worked in local government and local NHS Trusts, and also at a national level, and I expect the knowledge and understanding he will bring to the Trust will prove invaluable as we move forward.”

Non-executive appointments to NHS Trusts made by the NHS TDA are subject to the Code of Practice of the Commissioner for Public Appointments. 

Museji has been appointed from 1 June 2014, and is entitled to receive a remuneration of £18,621 per annum.