GATESHEAD Health NHS Foundation Trust has a new chairman.

Alison Marshall joined the organisation from Northumbria Healthcare where she has been a non-executive director since 2017. She is also a non executive at Northern Powergrid.

She has a wealth of legal experience as a qualified lawyer and former partner at Dickinson Dees LLP. Throughout her career she has acted for NHS and public sector clients before retiring in 2013. During her time at Northumbria she has gained particular experience of safety, quality, charitable funds, finance and audit.

She said: “I am delighted to be appointed as Chair of Gateshead Trust. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the board and the Trust’s committed staff to continue to deliver excellent outcomes for our patients.”

Chief executive Yvonne Ormston said: “This is a fantastic appointment for the Trust and Alison brings a wealth of public and private sector experience to the role. I’m really looking forward to working closely with her and the rest of the board to drive the organisation forward. I’m sure everyone will give her a warm Gateshead welcome.

“I’d also like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to our outgoing chairman Julia Hickey who has worked tirelessly for the organisation and been a key part in the success of the Trust over the past decade.”