A real transformation specialist, Brendan Brown joins us as Director of Nursing from the Burton Hospitals where he had been Director of Nursing since February 2013. In March 2015, he took over the portfolio for operational management and took on the joint portfolio of Chief Nurse and Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Chief Executive.

He succeeds Julie Dawes who now has a new role at the Southern Hospitals Trust.

Brendan has also been at Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust where he had previously held a number of senior nursing and management positions. He has a background in acute medicine, oncology and specialist palliative care, and attained a Masters with distinction at the University of Nottingham.

Brendan is passionate about the nursing profession, patient care and a positive experience for staff.

Upon his appointment, he said:  " I’m looking forward to joining the team at CHFT at what is an exciting and challenging time for the Trust and have been incredibly impressed by energy and passion of the staff I’ve met so far."

A spokesman for Burton Hospitals Trust said: "Brendan Brown joined the Trust in 2013 and has led this organisation on its quality improvement journey, leading the nursing function with passion, vigour and compassion, and taking on the role of Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Chief Executive with equal commitment

"Brendan would be the first to say he likes a challenge and the opportunity to have a tangible impact on care. He has  laid  the foundations for on-going improvements here and now Brendan has found his next transformative role.

" Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust  will benefit hugely from his passionate commitment to the nursing profession and to patient care. While we are sad to see Brendan leave us, we wish him the best on his new journey and thank him for everything he has given to this organisation."