Cathy Elliott has been named the new chair of Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust.

Cathy, who is currently non-executive director (NED) for Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust in Greater Manchester and has a Ministerial appointment as independent chair of Community and Business Funds for the Government’s High Speed 2 (HS2) project, will join the Trust later this summer.

As a leading social policy advisor, Cathy works with a range of not-for-profit organisations, particularly the national Power to Change Trust that supports community businesses and the international Savannah Wisdom Foundation that tackles social inequalities.

Cathy will step down from her NHS NED role to succeed Mike Smith when he completes his second term of office as the Trust’s chair.

Brent Kilmurray, Chief Executive of Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust, said: “I’m delighted that Cathy will be joining our Trust. She brings a wealth of experience leading multi-agency projects and networks to transform the lives of local communities and has a strong track record of collaboration and community engagement work. We look forward to welcoming her to the Trust board, working together with our local and regional partners to better connect communities to the care they need.

“I would like to thank our current chair Mike Smith for his service and significant contribution to our organisation as he completes his tenure with the Trust.”

Prior to her current roles, Cathy was chief executive of Community Foundations for Lancashire and Merseyside, and a trustee of UK Community Foundations. She was also interim chief executive of the national Cohesion and Integration Network charity, overseeing its start-up in 2018/19, working closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Commenting on her appointment, Cathy Elliott said: “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to take up the role of chair with the Trust. I am passionate about enabling communities to be healthy and thriving, and I am inspired by the Trust’s strategic plan for ‘better lives, together’. To support the Trust in achieving its ambitions, I particularly bring to the chair role my experience of operating in an NHS integrated care system with a drive for learning and improvement.

“I am committed to working with the Trust’s staff, board and partners to deliver plans and connect people to the best quality care across Bradford, Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven, and Wakefield district, as well as West Yorkshire. I look forward to working with them all.”