University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust has appointed three new Associate Non-Executive Directors to its senior leadership team. Professor Ivan Browne (pictured) and Professor Aruna Garcea officially joined the Trust’s Board in December 2023 followed by Mark Farmer who joined in January 2023. They bring a wealth of skills and expertise gained from a range of backgrounds and lived experience.
Professor Ivan Browne has been in public service for more than 35 years, having worked within both local authority and NHS settings. Until recently, he was the Director of Public Health for the City of Leicester and was at the forefront of leading the city through the Covid-19 pandemic. He is currently a professor in public health at De Montfort University. Ivan is a fellow of the Faculty of Public Health, an honorary Doctor of Loughborough University, and a Deputy Lieutenant for Leicester and Leicestershire. He is also a member of the NHS Assembly, which advises NHS England on the delivery of the NHS Long Term Plan.
Mark Farmer brings more than 25 years’ experience in youth and community development. He has worked with voluntary, community and social enterprises, as well as public sector organisations across Leicester and Leicestershire. Mark is aLived Experience Leader and co-leads the Adult Mental Health Network at NHS England, playing a pivotal role in shaping national mental health policies and commissioning. He serves as an advisor to the Royal College of Psychiatrists, he is a member of the NHS England Quality Committee, and acts as chair of the Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust People Council.
Professor Aruna Garcea is a GP with extensive experience in primary care, with a 16-year tenure as a GP partner at the University Practice in Leicester and as a clinical director of the Leicester City and University Primary Care Network. She acts as chair of the ‘NHS Confederation Primary Care Network’ and is medical advisor for a local GP federation. Additionally, Aruna holds the role of Women’s Health Lead for the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) Integrated Care Board and is a visiting Professor at the Lincoln University School of Pharmacy.
Richard Mitchell, Chief Executive at UHL said: “I am delighted that Aruna, Ivan and Mark are joining us at such a pivotal time. We are now making sustained progress at UHL, both in terms of patient care and as a place to work. We already provide world-class research and education and we value our partnerships, in particular with the communities we serve. We aim to be leaders in healthcare and trusted by all communities and we recognise we have work to do to get there, but the work has most certainly begun. We are building a high calibre team at UHL and Aruna, Ivan and Mark’s talent and extensive experience in different settings will be an asset to us.”