A PROFESSOR of medical education has been appointed chair of an NHS trust.
Professor Dame Robina Shah will become chair of Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundations Trust (WWL) on December 1, 2025 for a three-year term, following a meeting of the council of governors.
She succeeds Mark Jones, who retired earlier this year.
Francine Thorpe, the acting chair, will return to her role as deputy trust chair and non-executive director.
Dame Robina said: "I am truly honoured to be appointed as the Chair of WWL and would like to thank the Council of Governors for placing their confidence in me.
"WWL stands at the heart of its community, and the strong partnership with Wigan Council, the Integrated Care Board and Healthier Wigan Partnership is something I greatly admire.
"As an anchor organisation, WWL shows what can be achieved when we work with shared purpose and compassion for the population we serve.
"Along with the engagement of our wider community, this reflects the very best of the NHS."
A Deputy Lieutenant for the County of Greater Manchester, Dame Robina has great experience with the Trust, including a period as Chair of Stockport NHS Foundation Trust and more recently as a Non-Executive Director and Acting Chair at Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust.
She is a chartered consultant psychologist and professor of medical education and psychosocial medicine at Manchester University Medical School.
Mary Fleming, chief executive of WWL, said: "I have no doubt that she will be a huge success, using her wide-ranging skills and experience to help to move the Trust forward and progress on our journey to outstanding."
Andy Savage, lead governor at WWL, thanked Ms Thorpe for stepping in as acting chair.
He said: "We would also like to express our sincere thanks to Francine Thorpe, who seamlessly stepped into being the Acting Chair between Mark Jones' retirement and Dame Robina starting."