An NHS trust serving Brighton and Hove has appointed a new chair, it said today (Wednesday 21 February).
Sussex Partnership said: “Peter Molyneux has been appointed as chair of Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust with effect from 1 April 2018.
“Peter has been chair of South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust since 2011.
“He is a Visiting Fellow at the John Madejski Centre for Reputation Management at Henley Business School, a board member of Recovery Focus and a Stonewall ambassador.”
Mr Molyneux takes over from Richard Bayley who has been the interim chair of Sussex Partnership since the departure of Caroline Armitage last July.
He will retain his role at South West London and St George’s for a short period after Sunday 1 April.
Mr Molyneux said: “I am delighted to be taking up the role as chair of Sussex Partnership and am looking forward to meeting and working with colleagues across Hampshire and Sussex.
“I have been a chair of a mental health trust for the past seven years. I am passionate about mental health and wellbeing and how we work in partnership to improve mental health and mental health services.”
Sussex Partnership chief executive Sam Allen said: “I’m delighted we have appointed someone of Peter’s calibre to the role of chair.
“His experience and expertise will be invaluable in helping us build on our recent ‘good’ rating from the Care Quality Commission as we continue improving care and treatment for the patients, families and local communities we serve.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank Richard Bayley for everything he has done in the role of interim chair. His leadership, focus and support have been of huge value.”
Mr Bayley said: “It’s been a privilege to serve in the role of interim chair at Sussex Partnership over the last few months.
“Our organisation is fortunate to have such passionate, committed and highly skilled staff.
“Despite the pressures they face, they continue to do a fantastic job on behalf of patients and families.
“I am sure Peter will find the experience of working with them as rewarding as I have. He is a great appointment as chair.”
The trust’s lead governor Amy Mary Rose Herring said: “On behalf of the council of governors I would like to thank Richard Bayley for the contribution he has made to Sussex Partnership and wish him well on his departure.
“I also want to welcome our new chair to Sussex Partnership. He’s joining an organisation where people are passionate about providing patients and families with the best possible care, treatment and support on their journey to recovery.”
Sussex Partnership, which runs Mill View Hospital, in Hangleton, provides mental health, learning disability, forensic healthcare and care home services for people in south east England.