“Both Don Grocott, Deputy Chair, and Professor Sir Cyril Chantler, have served the PHIN Board with dedication and a passion to make improvements for the benefit of patients, sharing their experience and expertise to help steer the organisation.

“I personally have been very grateful for their support since I became Chair two years ago."

Don Grocott

Don has worked in the private healthcare sector since 2010 when he helped establish the Private Patients Forum to offer a resource for those using or thinking of using private healthcare. His background is in marketing and general management, and he runs a consultancy primarily facilitating projects between academics, clinicians and industry. He has worked in the vision health sector and has been chairman or president of several bodies, including the European Federation of Contact Lens Manufacturers (Euromcontact) and the Optical Confederation.

Jayne said: “As PHIN’s Deputy Chair, Don has provided invaluable leadership to the Board as well as ensuring effective performance management and reporting as co-chair of the Delivery Oversight Committee. He is passionate about patients and worked to ensure that we maintain a patient focus in our work.”

Professor Sir Cyril Chantler

Sir Cyril’s career in healthcare has been long and distinguished, holding such positions as Dean of the Guy’s, King’s College and St Thomas’ Hospitals’ Medical and Dental School. He was Chairman of Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, of the Clinical Advisory Group for NHS London and of the Beit Memorial Fellowships for Medical Research. He is also a past Chairman of (PHIN’s landlords) the Kings Fund, London and has served as a member of the Member of the NHS Policy Board.

Jayne said: “Sir Cyril’s depth of expertise and knowledge of healthcare delivery has been invaluable to the Board, as has his deep insight into how best to provide patients with the appropriate information to make informed choices. As Vice-Chair of the Independent Medicines & Medical Devices Safety review panel, Chaired by Baroness Cumberlege, Sir Cyril, along with our former Chair Andrew Vallance-Owen, facilitated PHIN’s involvement in the Paterson Inquiry and Cumberlege Review. He also took every opportunity to highlight PHIN, and our remit, across the healthcare sector and has been an ardent supporter of our work."

Invaluable contributions

Their breadth of experience and skills has been invaluable in helping to shape PHIN’s strategic direction over the past 10 years and we will greatly miss their input.

Ian Gargan, PHIN Chief Executive, added his own thanks:

“I am very thankful for the support and guidance both Don and Sir Cyril have provided during my time at PHIN. They have made a significant contribution to PHIN over the years, and I’m sure they will continue to follow our progress closely!”

The recruitment process for two new Non-Executive Directors is currently underway. The application and sorting stages have now closed and candidates are being interviewed.