NHS Trust Chief Executive appointed as Chair for NHS Mental Health Network

Steven Michael OBE, Chief Executive at South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, has been appointed as the new chair of the NHS Confederation Mental Health Network (MHN) – bringing his extensive leadership, management and insight to the role.

Steven, who has been in his position as Chief Executive at the Trust since 2007, joined the NHS in 1985 as a trained nurse and has since had a number of leadership and management roles. In 2014, under his leadership, the Trust was recognised as one of the best 100 places to work in the NHS.

Steven, who will take up the role in June 2015, said: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to take on the role of Chair of the Mental Health Network at such a critical time in the NHS. The Mental Health Network does great work in terms of influencing policy and service delivery.

“This is very positive news for the Trust and local services as it ensures a connection and influence on the mental health agenda which affects many people in our communities.

“I want to build on the work of the previous chair Shaun Clee, and I hope I can bring added value to the work of the Mental Health Network Board and the Mental Health Network more generally.”

Stephen Dalton, chief executive of the Mental Health Network, said: “I am pleased to announce that Steven Michael, chief executive of South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has been appointed by the Network’s Board as its new Chair.”

Steven Michael replaces Shaun Clee, chief executive of 2gether NHS Foundation Trust. In 2014 Steven was recognised by Health Service Journal in the top 50 leaders for integration and more recently as being in the top 50 provider Chief Executives nationally. Steven was also awarded an OBE for services to Healthcare in the Queen’s 2014 Birthday Honours.

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust provides a range of mental health, learning disability and community services to local people in Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield.