Mr Ian Burgess appointed Chair of NHS Western Isles

The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport, Ms Jeane Freeman, has announced the appointment of Mr Ian Burgess as Chair of Western Isles NHS Board.

Prior to his appointment, Mr Burgess has for the past four years served on the Board of NHS Western Isles as a non-executive Director and as Vice Chair for the past year.

He stood down from his role as Member of NHS Western Isles Board on taking up the position of Chair, an appointment which will run for four years from January 1^st 2019 to 31^st December 2022.

Mr Burgess said: “I am very pleased to be the Chair of NHS Western Isles, an organisation which is so important to all of us living in the Western Isles.

“I am also proud of all our staff who deliver excellent health care to all those in our care and look forward to working alongside them.”

Ian Burgess started his career in the Merchant Navy in 1973 as a Cadet Navigation Officer. In 1984 he left the Navy to join HM Coastguard and over his 31 year career held many roles, ending as Divisional Commander.

This work gave him access to the coastal communities within the Western Isles, working with volunteer teams and engaging with community stakeholders and during his HM Coastguard career Ian was involved in many change programmes designed to improve the performance of the volunteer force and modernise the way coastal rescue is carried out.

Chief Executive of NHS Western Isles, Gordon Jamieson, said: “I am delighted and congratulate Ian on his appointment.

“Ian already has a wealth of knowledge and understanding about our strategic aims and our governance and assurance systems.

“I look forward to Ian’s leadership in taking the Board forward and continuing to serve our community well.”