Local people with a wealth of experience in business, law, local government and the voluntary sector are to join the board of Lincolnshire’s mental health NHS Trust.

At the meeting of the Board of Governors of Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust on 11 June 2009 Governors approved the appointment of three Non-Executive Directors (NEDs).

One, Lesley Koumi, is an existing NED whilst the others, George Krawiec and Anne Grahamslaw, are new appointments.  Each will serve for up to three years from 1 July 2009.

Mr Krawiec is a retired Chief Executive of North East Lincolnshire, Stafford Borough and Southend-on-Sea Councils and is currently Vice Chairman of Lincolnshire County Council’s Standards Committee.

During his local government career he took one authority’s performance rating from zero stars to ‘improving well’.  He has also been a member of the Essex Learning and Skills Council and Stafford Enterprise, the Disciplinary Committee of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy and a founder member of Southend Hospital Charitable Trust.

A qualified solicitor for more than 30 years, Mr Krawiec said:  “It is crucial in the modern public sector that organisations charged with providing vital services to local people work in partnership to deliver joined up, high quality services.  I aim to bring my knowledge and experience of other sectors – particularly local government – to help the Trust maintain its reputation as an excellent mental health service organisation which works effectively with a wide range of partners.”

Ms Grahamslaw has an extensive history of working at the most senior levels in business and the voluntary sector.  She has been variously a Non-Executive Director, Chief Executive, Managing Director and Director of several organisations including an interim management company, Interflora, Mencap, Sporting Equals, Help the Aged Trading Companies and Business Link Northamptonshire.

She is a Fellow of the Institute of Directors and is currently National Services Director of Speaking Up – a national charity that provides advocacy services for people with mental health and/or learning difficulties.

She said:  “I am confident my blend of business and voluntary and charitable sector experience will add an extra dimension to the effective working of the Trust’s Board of Directors.  I have a passion for the voluntary sector and supporting people who are often unable to speak up for, or help themselves I look forward to focusing that passion to help people in Lincolnshire.”

Lesley Koumi has been a Trust NED since its creation in 2001.  She is its Acting Vice Chairman, Senior Independent Director and Chairs the Mental Health Act Managers’ Committee, the Complaints Review Panel and Managers’ Hearings. 

She has been a member of East Lindsey District Council since 1995 and a working member of Louth Wholefood Co-Operative Ltd.  A retired teacher, Lesley also works with a range of local voluntary groups including those concerned with homelessness and hospice care.

She said:  “It has been an honour to serve the Trust over the past eight years and I look forward to using that experience to enhance the contribution the Non-Executive Directors make to the vision, direction and operation of the Trust.  I have seen the Trust develop and strengthen over recent years to be deservedly acclaimed as an organisation that delivers excellence to its service users, those who care for them and the wider local community.  I very much forward to helping the Trust rise to, and overcome, the many challenges that lie ahead.”

Trust Chairman, Eileen Ziemer, added:  “A large number of outstanding candidates for Non-Executive Director positions were subject to a thorough and exacting selection process and all three that have now been appointed to our board have impressive backgrounds that will complement the valuable financial, private sector and other skills and experience within the existing Board of Directors.  

"I look forward to working with them over the coming years as we look to take the Trust to even higher levels of performance in the interests of the people we are here to serve.”