Following an open recruitment process, the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Neil Gray MSP, today announced the appointment of Neena Mahal MBE DL as Chair of NHS Forth Valley Board.

Neena has been Interim Chair of the Board since April 2024 and brings extensive NHS leadership and corporate governance experience, having previously held the role of Chair of NHS Lanarkshire. Her expertise in governance and strategy development has been shaped through a wide range of roles across public bodies, the charitable and voluntary sector, including the Broadcasting Council for Scotland, National Museums Scotland, BBC Children in Need, The Glasgow Academy and Glasgow Caledonian University Court.

Neena is a qualified careers adviser and freelance consultant, trainer and mentor, specialising in collaborative leadership and organisational change. She is a strong advocate of partnership working and building a positive and inclusive culture. In 2014, she was commissioned as a Deputy Lieutenant for Lanarkshire and in 2021, received an MBE for services to healthcare.

Neena Mahal said: “It is an honour and a privilege to be appointed to the substantive role of Chair of NHS Forth Valley. Over the last 18 months I have had the opportunity to meet with a wide range of staff and key partners, and I have been hugely impressed with the many examples I have seen of collaboration, innovation and improvement.

This is an exciting time to lead the Board as we finalise our new Population Health and Care Strategy for the next ten years and I look forward to building on the progress we have already made, working with our staff, local communities and partner organisations to improve the health and wellbeing of everyone who lives in Forth Valley.”

Ross McGuffie, Chief Executive of NHS Forth Valley, welcomed the news, “I am delighted that Neena has been appointed into the substantive Chair role to continue the great work she has already led in the Board since arriving in April 2024 and I look forward to working closely with Neena as we move forwards into what will be an exciting period for NHS Forth Valley.”