Aviva’s General Insurance Chief Information Officer joins NSFT Board | News and events

Aviva’s General Insurance Chief Information Officer has joined Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation’s Trust’s board as a non-executive director.

James Barnard, who is Chief Information Officer at Aviva General Insurance, brings more than 20 years’ experience in technology and transformation to the organisation, which further broadens and strengthens leadership at the trust.

NSFT has a clear plan in place that focuses on how the organisation can better and more consistently deliver excellent, safe care and make lasting changes to improve staff and service user experience across the mental health and learning disability services it delivers for children and adults in Norfolk and Suffolk. James’ role will support NSFT as it makes changes to how it works, including using technology to drive forward improvements in care for service users and staff.

Zoë Billingham, Chair of NSFT, said: “I am delighted James has joined us. His knowledge and skills will be invaluable as we continue to improve our services, particularly as we look at how we can better use technology to improve people’s experiences of being cared for and working for the trust.”

James said: “I am really looking forward to joining the team and meeting with colleagues and service users over the coming weeks and months to better understand their experiences of, and ambitions for, the organisation.

“I hope I can bring a fresh perspective to some of the challenges the trust faces and help find solutions that bring about real and lasting change for the people who need specialist mental health and learning disability care across our local communities.“

Howard Tidman, Lead Governor at NSFT, said: “James’ appointment to the board is another example of NSFT strengthening its leadership as we drive forward an ambitious programme of work that will further improve the services and care we provide for the people in Norfolk and Suffolk.

“I look forward to working with James and seeing the organisation benefit from his experience and perspective.”