Second term for NHS Rotherham chairman

The NHS Appointments Commission has reappointed Alan Tolhurst for a further four years.

Mr Tolhurst's reappointment is effective from October 1 to September 30, 2014.

He was first appointed as chairman of NHS Rotherham when the primary care trust was established in April 2002. The appointment carries a salary of £34,153.

Mr Tolhurst said: “Over the last eight years I have witnessed some fantastic work being undertaken by staff at NHS Rotherham to improve the health of local people.

“Over the next couple of years the NHS will face a number of tough challenges as it reorganises under the new coalition Government. 

“I hope that during this time we will continue to see improvements in the delivery of our services and in the health of local people. 

“I also look forward to further joint working between ourselves, the local authority and other partner organisations.”

The appointment of non-executive directors has been made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments' Code of Practice.   

All non-executive appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process.

Mr Tolhurst retired from the Royal Air Force in 1988 after 31 years’ service where he commanded a Hercules transport aircraft squadron as well as the largest RAF flying training station. 

He was also personal staff officer to a NATO commander, a senior member of the RAF policy department and air advisor to the British High Commissioner in Canada.

Since 1988 Alan's appointments have included general manager of Universiade GB where he had overall responsibility for organising, funding and running the World

Student Games which took place in Sheffield in 1991.

In 1991 he set up his own career development consultancy alongside being chairman of North Nottinghamshire Health Authority.  In 1992 he was appointed as deputy lieutenant for South Yorkshire.

He was appointed as career development coach under the NHS Executive Choice scheme in 1997 and in 1999 he was appointed as a mentor with the NHS leadership development programme for chief executives.

Mr Tolhurst is also extremely active in the voluntary sector and was awarded the OBE in 2008.