New chairman of South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Sir Norman Lamb has been appointed chairman of the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.

David Bradley, chief executive of South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, said: “On behalf of the Trust, I am delighted to welcome Sir Norman Lamb to the role.

“Sir Norman brings with him a wealth of experience in healthcare and a deep commitment to improving the lives of people with mental illness. I know he will be a tremendous force of positive change for the people of South London.”

A long-standing and active campaigner for mental health, Sir Norman has worked to challenge stigma around mental health and to ensure people with mental health issues are treated with the same priority as patients with physical health needs.

A former health minister from 2012-2015, Sir Norman introduced the first access and waiting time standards in mental health care for the treatment of mental health problems like depression and anxiety, and for patients experiencing a first episode of psychosis. Prior to this he was also a minister in the Department for Business, Innovation and skills.

In 2019, Sir Norman received a knighthood in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for his public and political service, notably his contribution to mental health.

Sir Norman said: “I am thrilled to have been appointed as chairman of the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. This is a fantastic opportunity to play a part in improving the lives of those who experience mental ill health.

“This is my passion. I am so grateful for the trust that the Governors have shown in me. I am really looking forward to meeting staff at all levels, those involved in brilliant world class research and those with lived experience and their families. I want to get to know the Trust and the people who commit their working lives to supporting others.”

Sir Norman’s extensive career includes his election as MP for North Norfolk in 2001. Sir Norman served as the Liberal Democrats’ Shadow Health Secretary from 2006 to 2010 and again from 2015 to 2017, and he was elected chairman of the Science and Technology Select Committee in July 2017.

Jenny Cobley, lead governor at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, said: “On behalf of the Council of Governors I would like to welcome Sir Norman Lamb to the Trust and thank June Mulroy for her leadership over the past year as interim chairwoman.

“This appointment is wonderful news for everyone with an interest in the future success of the Trust and will support the Trust Board to deliver its ambitious strategy which is to improve the lives of the people will mental illness and the communities we serve in South-east London.”

The appointment was confirmed at a meeting of the Council of Governors on December 12.

Sir Norman will take up his new role in March.