Local mental health NHS Trust appoints chief executive

South West Yorkshire Mental Health Trust has appointed a new chief executive. The appointment of Steven Michael was announced today by Sukhdev Sharma, Trust chairman.

Steven Michael – who has worked in the NHS for over 21 years – has been acting chief executive at the Trust since September 2006. Steven began his career as a registered mental health nurse and has worked as an executive director for the last six years. He has extensive experience of project management, engaging with people who use services and their carers and working in partnership with other organisations.

He said, "I’m delighted to be appointed as chief executive of South West Yorkshire Mental Health Trust. This is an exciting time for mental health and learning disability services in south west Yorkshire as we work towards becoming an NHS foundation trust. This will help us develop high quality services that meet local needs and are in line with the aspirations of the communities we serve".

Chairman Sukhdev Sharma said, "I’m extremely pleased that Steven has been substantively appointed. He has led the organisation very successfully over the last few months and has demonstrated a real commitment to improving the experiences of people who use our services and their families. Steven has wide- ranging experience of the mental health sector and of local services and will continue to develop and improve services for people with mental health problems and learning disabilities in Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. "