A FORMER engineer with considerable management experience has been appointed as the new chairman of Whiston and St Helens hospitals.

Richard Fraser has taken the role at St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

Currently vice chairman at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, he has more than 30 years’ experience as a board director of a number of large companies.

He is a former managing director of Enterprise plc, which employed more than 10,000 people.

As a qualified mechanical and civil engineer, he has spent most of his career with major contractors in utilities and service industries.

He is a trustee of the charity National Energy Action (NEA), and is chairman of Warm Zones CIC, the not for profit contractor – both organisations that are committed to reducing fuel poverty.

Ann Marr, chief executive of the hospitals, said: “Richard’s skills and experiences will be an asset in supporting the trust with the challenges facing NHS organisations.”

Mr Fraser’s position runs until April 30, 2016 and he receives £21,105 per year.