A NEW man is to take over running many health services in Huddersfield.

Owen Williams – currently chief executive of Calderdale Council – is to be the new chief executive of the Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust.

He will start his new full-time post in mid May and takes over from Diane Whittingham, who is stepping down.

Ms Whittingham was on a salary of £190,000. Mr Williams, 43, has been on a salary of about £160,000 with the council and his new salary will be determined by the trust’s remuneration panel.

His appointment was ratified by the trust’s membership council.

Mr Williams has had extensive involvement in local healthcare decisions and knows the communities served by the trust very well.

He was brought up in Bradford and studied at Bradford College before going on to take a degree and a Phd.

He has been chief executive of the council since 2007 and was previously chief executive of Rossendale Council.

Mr Williams said: “I am delighted to be joining the trust which has an excellent reputation.

“I am looking forward to working alongside staff and membership councillors to continue to improve health services for the people of Calderdale and Huddersfield.

“We are moving into challenging times but I am confident that the trust can work with patients and the community to continue to improve the quality of services.”

The chairman of the trust Andrew Haigh said: “It is my pleasure to welcome Owen to the trust.

“I look forward to working with him through the challenges of the future.

“Owen has a wealth of public sector experience which, combined with the experience of our executive team, will ensure that the legacy of our current chief executive Diane Whittingham continues.”

Ms Whittingham leaves the trust at the end of March. Director of nursing and deputy chief executive Helen Thomson will be the interim chief executive until Mr Williams takes up the post.

Mr Williams added: “I’d particularly like to place on record my gratitude to the staff of Calderdale Council who are amongst the most tenacious and committed group of people that I have had the pleasure of working with.

“I’m sure that they along with the excellent senior management team that is in place will continue to take the council forward over the years to come.”

Council leader Janet Battye said:“I was involved in Owen’s appointment to his current council role and have enjoyed working closely with him over these last two years as leader of the council.

“A number of long standing challenges have been tackled during his time as chief executive and I believe he leaves the council in a strong position to deal with the significant organisational and service changes which lay ahead.”