Public appointment: Chair reappointed to Lothian NHS Board

The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Neil Gray MSP today announced the reappointment of John Connaghan CBE as Chair of Lothian NHS Board.

Chair

John Connaghan has served as Chief Executive in several Boards over a career spanning 30 years and in Scottish Government as a senior civil servant. He led the national effort between 2007 and 2012 to reduce waiting times for all procedures to a maximum of 12 weeks. During the covid period he served as Chief Executive of NHS Scotland. Between 2016 and 2018 he was Director General of the Irish Health service with responsibility for 165,000 staff and a €20 billion budget. John’s major interests are in developing a responsive high quality health service with an emphasis on positive culture and developing future leaders. He was awarded the Commander of British Empire (CBE) in 2014 for services to Health and is a Visiting Professor at Strathclyde University Business School.

Reappointment

This reappointment will be for 4 years and will run from 1 August 2025 to 31 July 2029.

This reappointment is regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

This reappointment is part-time and attracts a remuneration of £54,912 for a time commitment of 156 days per year.

Other ministerial appointments

John Connaghan does not hold any other public appointments.

Political activity

All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process.  However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity within the last five years (if there is any to be declared) to be made public.   

John Connaghan has had no political activity within the last five years.

Background

NHS Lothian is responsible for protecting and improving the health of the 850,000 population across Lothian and works closely with local authorities and third sector partners in providing an integrated system of community-based health and social care across East Lothian, Edinburgh, Midlothian and West Lothian. They also provide some services for patients in the Borders and in Fife and are a national centre of expertise for some specialties provided to people across Scotland.