MHA announces new Chair of Board of Trustees

Methodist Homes, MHA, has announced theappointment of John Robinson as the new Chair of its Board ofTrustees. John has succeeded Graham Smith, who stepped down fromhis role after completing his full term of office.

Since 2000, Mr Robinson has had a wide variety of non-executiveroles including Chair of Wimpey, Chair of Railtrack and Chair ofAbbeyfield, an older people's charity. He is also a Trustee ofdisability and community engagement charity, Livability and Chairof the Abbeyfield Research Foundation, which promotes and fundsresearch into elderly care. And has had a successful executivecareer as CEO of the international medical devices business, Smithand Nephew plc.

Mr Robinson is a Methodist by upbringing and currently worshipsin his local Anglican village church and involved with variouschurch projects.

He said: "I am delighted to be joining MHA as Chair of its Boardof Trustees. It is a charity with a great ethos in caring for thewhole person, whether that's through its Live at Home services, itsretirement living or its care homes.

"There us a great deal of focus on care for older peoplecurrently with the growing population, increased numbers of peopleliving with dementia and continued reduction in funding. I see myrole with MHA in helping to influence that equation and balance itout."

MHA is an award-winning charity which provides services for morethan 17,700 older people across England, Scotland and Wales. Itdoes this through its community-based Live at Home schemes,retirement living communities and care homes.

Former chair, Graham Smith, spent a total of 15 years on theBoard of MHA, the last three as its Chair.

Mr Smith added: "The appointment of John as my successor is agreat one for MHA. John brings a wealth of experience to thecharity which will help it continue on its journey of growth tohelp even more older people in the future."