Hospital appoints new director of finance (From Wharfedale Observer)

Hospital appoints new director of finance

10:00am Tuesday 15th January 2013 in Local news

Airedale Hospital starts the new year with a new director of finance as a member of its board.

Andrew Copley, who has been deputy director of finance at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust for the past five years and has a clinical background, stepped up to the post at the Steeton hospital, the main general hospital serving the Ilkley area.

His new portfolio also covers being a lead for statutory performance and contracting information. Former director of finance Sheenagh Powell has been appointed to the NHS Commissioning Board.

Mr Copley trained as a radiographer at Pinderfields and Pontefract Hospital and after working in that clinical field for two years at St Luke’s Hospital in Bradford, he developed his skills by moving on to financial and IT-related projects helping the district general hospital prepare for becoming a trust. He spent 12 years at Calderdale and Huddersfield Foundation Trust as assistant finance director and as a senior finance manager for the former Calderdale Hospital.

Mr Copley said: “I am delighted with my new appointment.

“My challenge for the New Year will be to make sure that Airedale is not only financially sustainable but that we continue to provide high-quality services for patients in a climate that is difficult for all health organisations.”

He is also looking forward to working closely with the new clinical commissioning groups and understanding how they will operate.

Born in Pontefract, Mr Copley currently lives in Baildon and is married with a 16-year-old son. He enjoys playing golf and tennis, and going to the cinema and theatre.