New chair named at Southend FT

Alan Tobias, OBE, will take up the role on 1 December following the retirement of John Bruce, who has been a member of the hospital’s board for 17 years and chair since 2000.

Mr Tobias is a qualified solicitor, according to a statement from the FT. The statement said: “For a total of 16 years he was chief executive of two London boroughs and more latterly has been chairman of an IT company. He also chaired Essex Probation Service for six years, was a board member of Springboard Housing Association and a trustee/director of three charitable trusts.”

Mr Tobias said: “I am only too well aware of the challenges facing the country as a whole, and the NHS in particular, so it won’t be easy. But I am greatly looking forward to taking the organisation forward. I would like to think that, with my previous experience in different roles, I will be able to add value to the work of the hospital.”