Colleagues, former colleagues, partners, volunteers, Experts by Experience and family members gathered at the Friendship Cafe, in Gloucester, to bid a fond farewell to our Chair, Ingrid Barker, whose term of office is nearly at an end.
The event was compered by Vice Chair Graham Russell, who paid tribute to Ingrid’s remarkable dedication to the NHS and communities of Gloucestershire since she began her first NHS Board role in the county 18 years ago.
There was then a heartfelt thank you from John Lane, Expert by Experience, representing the entire Expert by Experience and volunteer body of the Trust. John and Expert by Experience Sam Smith presented Ingrid with several gifts, including a memory book, and then Nina Patrascan unveiled an original artwork she created for Ingrid based on Ingrid’s favourite colours.
Non Executive Director Nicola de Longh read an original poem she had written for the occasion and former Chief Executives Paul Jennings and Paul Roberts shared their recollections of working with Ingrid and jointly leading the Trust.
Current Chief Executive, Douglas Blair, spoke about his year-long partnership with Ingrid and Mary Hutton, Chief Executive of NHS Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board, also made a speech paying tribute to Ingrid’s passion, dedication and values.
There were other memories shared, along with a rousing round of applause, cheers and whistles to mark Ingrid’s huge contribution to our Trust, the NHS across the county and our communities in general.
In her own words, Ingrid said that serving the people in our communities and addressing health inequalities had always been her ‘north star’, the principle that she returned to and relied on to guide the board and the organisation. She also made it clear she isn’t retiring – but isn’t yet in a position to discuss her next role!
Ingrid’s term of office ends on 30 April.
