The Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care, Neil Gray MSP today announced the appointment of Neena Mahal MBE as Interim Chair of Forth Valley NHS Board.

Interim Chair

Neena has extensive experience of leadership and governance in the NHS as a former Chair of NHS Lanarkshire. Her expertise in corporate governance and strategy development has been gained through her previous non-executive roles on a wide range of Public Bodies, charitable and voluntary sector organisations including the Broadcasting Council for Scotland, National Museums Scotland, BBC Children in Need and The Glasgow Academy. She is currently a Lay Governor at Glasgow Caledonian University and an independent consultant, trainer and advisor. Neena has a strong background in and understanding of what equality, diversity and inclusion means for leadership and good governance and has supported organisations to build an inclusive and positive culture. She brings a wealth of experience in collaborative leadership and organisational change. In 2014, she was privileged to be commissioned as a Deputy Lieutenant for Lanarkshire and in 2021 was honoured to be awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to healthcare.

Appointment

This appointment will be for 1 year and will run from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025.

This appointment is regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

This appointment attracts a remuneration of £402.35 per day for a time commitment of four days per week.

Other ministerial appointments

Neena Mahal 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.

Neena Mahal has had no political activity within the last five years.

Background

NHS Forth Valley is responsible for meeting the health needs of over 306,000 people living in Forth Valley, and provides a comprehensive range of primary, community-based and acute hospital services tailored for the whole population.