HUDDERSFIELD’S new health boss starts work today.

Owen Williams was appointed as the new chief executive officer at the Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust three months ago but is now officially in post.

He has replaced Diane Whittingham, who announced she was stepping down after 15 years at the helm of Huddersfield Royal Infirmary and 11 at Calderdale Royal Hospital.

Director of Nursing Helen Thomson has been acting chief executive since Mrs Whittingham’s departure in March.

Mr Williams will head up the 6,000 staff that currently work at HRI, CRH and also within the community.

Trust chairman Andrew Haigh said: “It is my absolute pleasure to welcome Owen to this Trust and working together with him through the many challenges of the future facing the NHS.

“We hope to be able to introduce him to as many of our staff, wards and departments as possible in the coming months and look forward to working together as a team to continue to deliver quality healthcare for our patients in to the future.”

Last week, the Trust gained a Top 40 rating for the third year running.

Under Mrs Whittingham both hospitals were merged, consultant-led maternity services were moved from the Infirmary to Calderdale Royal Hospital and the hospitals gained a Foundation Trust accreditation.

In a recent interview with The Examiner, she claimed that the “open culture” of the Trust would be her lasting legacy and wished Mr Williams good luck in his new role.

The Halifax man had been with Calderdale Council for six years and had been the Chief Executive for the last four before he decided to take on the role at the Trust.

He said: “I am delighted to be joining the Trust which has an excellent reputation.

“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.

“I have had six good years working for Calderdale Council and thanks to the determination of councillors from all political groups, I believe that we have made significant progress on a number of issues which have proven to be very difficult over a number of years".

Staff at Calderdale Council praised the work he had done at the council.

Council Leader Janet Battye said:

“I was involved in Owen’s appointment to his council role and have enjoyed working closely with him over these last 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.”

Watch out for an Examiner interview with Mr Williams soon.