Department of Health: Trio of reappointments at the Appointments Commission

The Appointments Commission has made three re-appointments.

Current non-executive director and Audit Chair of the Appointments Commission David Cain will continue in his role for a further term of three years, effective from 1 April 2010.  Penny Bennett has been reappointed as the Health and Social Care Commissioner for the South West, and Miranda Hughes as Health and Social Care Commissioner for the North East & Yorkshire and The Humber.  Both will serve in their roles for an additional four years, effective from 1 April 2010 and 30 April 2010 respectively.

The Appointments Commission is the independent organisation responsible for appointing chairs and non-executives of the highest quality for NHS boards and many national public bodies.

Anne Watts CBE, Chair of the Appointments Commission, said:

“I am delighted with these reappointments, and believe that the knowledge and experience that David, Penny and Miranda continue to bring to the organisation will help us as we grow and develop to face the challenges and opportunities ahead.”

1.      For media enquiries please contact the Appointments Commission on 0113 394 7983 orkaren.feeney@appointments.org.uk.

2.      Biographies:

David Cain

Following an extensive career in finance, David joined the Appointments Commission as a non-executive director, and Audit Committee chair, in 2007. A chartered accountant, David has held roles within both the private and public sectors, including Deloitte and Touche and the now dissolved Forest Healthcare NHS Trust. David continues to work as a partner at DAP Consulting, his own firm.

Penny Bennett

Penny joined the Appointments Commission in 2003 following a professional career as a solicitor in the private sector. Penny has experience of the health sector following chair and non-executive director roles for the East Gloucestershire NHS Trust and the Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Strategic Health Authority. Alongside her role as Commissioner, Penny also serves on the board of the Hanover Housing Association and is chair of their Audit Committee.

Miranda Hughes

A chartered psychologist by profession, Miranda has held a range of public appointments in the education, health and criminal justice sectors. These include chair for the West Yorkshire Probation Board, chair for Connexions West Yorkshire and non-executive director at Leeds East Primary Care Trust. Following a career in management, Miranda established her own consultancy company. Alongside her role as Commissioner, which she has held since 2004, Miranda is an independent chair for judicial appointment panels for the Judicial Appointments Commission.

3.      Remuneration:

David Cain - £13,136 per annum

Penny Bennett – £31,525 per annum

Miranda Hughes – £31,525 per annum

4.      All three appointments have been made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments’ Code of Practice.

5.      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.  David Cain, Penny Bennett and Miranda Hughes have not declared any political activity and do not hold any other ministerial appointments.

6.      The Appointments Commission is an independent organisation responsible on behalf of ministers for appointing chairs and non-executives to Strategic Health Authorities, primary care trusts, NHS trusts and the Department of Health’s arms length bodies.  It also provides non-executive recruitment services for foundation trusts and to the boards of public bodies across central Government.

7.      For more information visit http://www.appointments.org.uk

NDS Enquiries 
Phone: For enquiries please contact the above department 
ndsenquiries@coi.gsi.gov.uk