Andrew Robertson, NHSGGC Chairman, has today (Monday,30 November) retired following more than 20 consecutive years of service to the NHS in the Greater Glasgow area.
After eight years as Chair of the largest health authority in the UK, Andrew has steered NHSGGC through a period of significant change and reform.
Paying tribute to his major contribution to the NHS, Robert Calderwood, NHSGGC Chief Executive, said: “Andrew has made a significant contribution to not only the work of the board, but to public life within the city and beyond over the last 22 years.
“Over the last eight years as the chair of the board Andrew’s inclusive style has ensured board members have been able to debate and contribute on all major policy issues.
“On a personal level, I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Andrew and the support he has provided to both me and the senior management team.”
Andrew said: “During my term as Chair it has been a privilege to lead the board through such a time of modernisation and service redesign. A particular highlight for me has been to see the culmination of the Acute Services Review that was adopted back in 2002 and which set out the blueprint for some of the most far-reaching changes in the delivery of acute services in Scotland.
“To have been able to witness the construction and commissioning of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital has really been something special for me.
“I have met and enjoyed working with many wonderful people during my term in office and am very keen to record my warmest appreciation of all the input from staff across a wide range of disciplines and locations.”
Andrew cites another highlight during his time as chair as launching NHSGGC’s first board-wide staff awards scheme. These awards became known as the Chairman’s awards and are now held in high esteem by staff throughout the organisation.
Andrew is succeeded as Chairman by John Brown who takes up post on 1st December 2015 for four years until 30th November 2019.
Mr Brown joined NHSGGC as a Board member a year ago and is now going to lead the health board through a period of major health and social care development and ongoing acute services and psychiatric services modernisation programmes.
He has extensive experience of leading large, customer facing organisations through transformational change and since June 2014 he has been employed as interim Company Secretary of the Student Loans Company.