16 August 2010
Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust is pleased to announce the re-appointment of Jan Sawkins as a non-executive director.
Jan, who first joined as a non-executive in November 2006, says she has seen significant changes during her first four years on the Board: "When I joined the Trust, the organisation was in a very different position to the one it's in now.
"It is gratifying to see the improvements that have been made over recent years - due to the hard work of the executive team and supported by the Board, the Trust is now financially more stable, consistently hits the key standards the Government sets for hospitals, and continues to seek to provide our patients with the best possible care."
Jan, who spent two successful decades working in the City in international and investment banking, followed by a decade of equally successful work in the commercial and media sectors, also has experience as an executive NHS director - she has recently undertaken a management consultancy contract as Interim Director of Business Development Director at Luton and Dunstable Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, which has included reviewing the structure of the organisation.
Jan, who lives in Oxshott, said: "Spending that time as an executive director has really informed my role as a non-executive. It has helped me to fully appreciate and understand the amount of work undertaken by everybody who works for the NHS, as well as the challenges and pressures which they face day-to-day."
Commenting on her role as a non-executive Director for the Trust, Jan said: "It's fantastic to be able to continue to give something back. I hope my experience and expertise, as with that of my fellow non-executive directors, help the Board to address the challenges ahead from an impartial but supportive viewpoint. The Trust, along with the wider NHS, is facing further challenging times and I am pleased to be able to continue to be on the Board."
In the spare time that she does have, Jan also mentors and coaches people from all walks of life, from senior executives to young people just starting out in their careers. She said: "I've been very lucky to have had a successful career so far and I enjoy helping other people; whether that's developing leadership skills in executives or exploring with young people what they want to get out of life."
She also enjoys cooking, entertaining, going to the theatre and tries to travel as much as her schedule allows.
Trust Chairman John Davey said: "I am delighted about Jan's reappointment to the Trust Board. Her experience and advice has been invaluable over the past four years and I am delighted that she will remain a part of the Trust in the future."
Jan's second four-year term will officially begin on 1 November 2010 and will end on 31 October 2014. The remuneration for the non-executive director post is £6,096 a year. The re-appointment has been made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments' Code of Practice. All non-executive appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process.
However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees' political activity (if any declared) to be made public. Jan has a consultancy role at Luton and Dunstable Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, and no other political or other interests which have to be declared.
