Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust Announces its New Chair
The next chair of Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust (CWPT) will be Eamonn Kelly, who has over 30 years board level experience working in, or closely with, the NHS and has strong links to both the Trust and the region.
Eamonn most recently held the position of non-executive director at the Coventry and Rugby GP Alliance. Previously to this, he has held several senior NHS roles, including Chief Executive of West Mercia PCTs, Director of Commissioning at NHS West Midlands Strategic Health Authority, and Chief Executive of Redditch and Bromsgrove and Wyre Forest Primary Care Trusts.
Personally, Eamonn holds a deep connection to both the local community and the Trust. Eamonn was born and lives in Coventry and has strong links to Warwickshire. His mother was a nurse for the Trust and later lived with dementia, during which time she was supported by CWPT’s services. Eamonn’s wife, a Speech and Language therapist, also worked at the Trust for many years.
Mel Coombes MBE, Chief Executive Officer at CWPT said, “I am delighted to welcome Eamonn to the Trust as our new Chair. With his wealth of experience, expertise, and personal connection to the Trust, we look forward to him assisting us in our core purpose of making a positive difference to the health and wellbeing of people and communities who need our services.
“I’d also like to take this opportunity to personally thank Dianne Whitfield for leading us so capably as acting chair since Professor Jagtar Singh OBE’s term came to an end last autumn.”
Eamonn Kelly said, “It is truly an honour and a privilege to be appointed as Chair of CWPT. Having worked in or with the NHS since 1989, I am confident that my experience and learning will be of real value. The NHS is facing considerable challenges, and I will advocate for those who use our services and support colleagues to continue to provide services that meet the needs of those who experience the greatest health inequalities in our society.
“I will strive to build on the work of the Trust, putting patient voice and experience at the centre of decision making and to create an environment where we can recruit and retain the staff we need because they feel safe, supported and enabled to provide the best possible care.”
Eamonn will take up his appointment at CWPT on 1 March 2025.