Judith Hardisty has been appointed as vice-chair for the University Health Board (UHB) following a rigorous recruitment process.

Bernardine Rees, OBE, chair of Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “Judith joined the University Health Board as a new independent member last year and has, more recently, held the role of interim vice-chair to allow time to appoint to the substantive role.

“She has provided excellent scrutiny and insight to the board thus far and I wish to congratulate Judith on her appointment.”

Mrs. Hardisty was formerly an NHS assistant chief executive (organisational development) and an experienced HR/workforce director. She has more than 20 years’ experience of working at board level with various NHS bodies and nearly 40 years’ NHS experience across all sectors.

She retired from the NHS in December 2015 and is currently an external assessor for the Corporate Health Standard and a lay reviewer for Health Inspectorate Wales.

On receiving confirmation of her appointment, Judith said: “I am thrilled to have been appointed as the vice-chair which I see as a privilege and a challenge.

“In the role I look forward to continuing to work with everyone in the University Health Board and our partners. In particular, as vice-chair I will do everything I can to provide strategic leadership and support to the Primary and Community Care, Mental Health and Learning Disabilities services.”