The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) is pleased to announced that Joanne Shaw1 Â has been appointed as the new Chair of its Board of Trustees. The process of appointing the Chair was undertaken by an Appointments Panel chaired by Professor Russell Viner, RCPCH President.
The Board of Trustees plays a vital role in the life of the College through its overall scrutiny and oversight of the College’s activities, with a particular focus on assurance around risk, financial issues, and ensuring fulfilment of the College’s charitable purposes.Â
Joanne Shaw will take up the role in November 2021 for a term of three years in the first instance2 , when Dame Mary Marsh’s term as the current Chair expires. Dame Mary was the first Chair the College had since the Board’s inception in 2016 and under her stewardship, the College has excelled in fulfilling its mission to transform child health through knowledge, innovation and expertise. The Board and the RCPCH thank Dame Mary for her leadership as Chair over the past five years.
Commenting on Joanne Shaw’s appointment as Chair of the Board of Trustees, RCPCH President Professor Russell Viner said:
I’m delighted that Joanne will be joining the College. Her insight, skills and experience will be assets and we look forward to her leadership of the Board.
It is sad that Mary’s tenure as Chair will expire later this year. She is a wonderful colleague and I’m grateful for the considerable impact she has made steering the Board. Her knowledge, dedication and passion have made a difference and we are grateful for her rich input.
Commenting on her appointment as Chair of the Board of Trustees, Joanne Shaw said:
It is a great honour to be joining an organisation with such an important part to play in improving the health of children and young people, and at such a critical time. This is an exciting opportunity and I very much look forward to making a contribution to the life of the College.
Commenting on the forthcoming conclusion of her tenure as Chair in November 2021, Dame Mary Marsh said:
Chairing the Board has been a great privilege and a thoroughly enjoyable experience. I am so fortunate to have been working with such an exceptional group of Trustees, College officers and staff. It has been good to see how the College has grown and developed its reach in the crucial work it does for paediatrics and child health, including through the pandemic.
I am looking forward to working with Joanne over the next few months as the Board transitions to her leadership later this year. She’s a superb choice as the incoming Chair and I wish her much success in the role.
- 1Joanne Shaw is an experienced leader with a broad commercial, public and third sector background, specialising in healthcare. She is currently a trustee and audit chair designate at Cancer Research UK, and chairs Vitality Corporate Services, part of the South Africa-based shared value insurance group. She has chaired the Audit and Risk Committees of NHS England, the National Audit Office and Money Advice Service. As past Chair of NHS Direct, she has a particular interest in the use of mobile and digital channels for health and medicines, and the changing relationship between individuals, their own health and their health care providers.
- 2The Chair of the RCPCH’s Board of Trustees is appointed for three years, with the option of serving for a further two years.