Social enterprise hires former private hospital chief

Chime Social Enterprise, created in 2011 as part of the Transforming Community Service programme, provides adult and children’s audiology services in across Exeter, and Mid and East Devon.

Dr Reynolds, who also served as chief executive of Nottingham Health Authority, will lead the organisation as it looks to expand its services to other parts of the country.

Chime said in a statement: “Chime are considering replicating our service in other geographical areas as we believe we have an excellent model based upon the best of existing NHS services and we want that to thrive and be accessible to NHS patients.”

The new chief executive will oversee services provided at 14 community “hubs” across Devon, including one based at Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.

Dr Reynolds’ previous non-executive director roles include being chair of audit for Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Strategic Health Authority and as deputy chair of the Food Standards Agency.

Dr Reynolds said: “I’m really delighted and proud to have joined Chime, who are at the leading edge of the development of audiology services in the UK.

“I am excited at the opportunities we have to increase and to improve audiology services and to take our new model beyond its current borders to the benefit of more patients.”

Chime was created after services were spun out of the NHS under the government’s right to request scheme.