• Three new Non-Executive Directors and two Associate Non-Executive Directors appointed
• Tony Allen, Janat Hulston, Ian Williamson, Tirivake Mutambasere and Gita Bhutani join Board of Directors
• Non-Executive Directors provide independent oversight and constructive challenge

Bolton NHS Foundation Trust is pleased to announce the appointment of three new Non-Executive Directors and two Associate Non-Executive Directors who will be joining the Board of Directors.

Tony Allen, Janat Hulston and Ian Williamson started in their new roles as Non-Executive Directors, and Tirivake Mutambasere and Gita Bhutani as Associate Non-Executive Directors this month.

Non-Executive Directors provide independent oversight and constructive challenge as part of our Board of Directors, bringing an external perspective that helps ensure the Trust acts in the best interests of our patients, staff and wider community.

Janat has a commercial background in the banking and finance sector, with a wealth of experience in operational excellence, digital transformation, organisational culture, and strategic development across complex organisations.

Ian has had an extensive career in the NHS, including 17 years as a Chief Executive across commissioning, community, and primary care organisations in the North West.

He said:

I am delighted to join Bolton FT as a Non-Executive director. I am looking forward to working as part of the Board to support staff and the Bolton population to provide great services and to be as healthy as possible. As a Bolton Wanderers fan, I want the hospital trust and the football club to be as successful as possible!

Tony is a qualified accountant with extensive experience across both the public and private sectors. He has held Non-Executive Director roles in social housing, care, NHS from both a provider and a commissioner perspective, and social enterprise.

I researched the Trust before I applied and was impressed with the progress being made on treatment targets and the collaborative culture which is so evident. Although I will be chairing the Audit committee I want to be involved in as many areas as possible to contribute to the continued success.

Tirivake is a senior leader in finance, risk, and transformation, with experience across healthcare and other mission‑led organisations. He has led financial recovery and modernisation programmes, supporting organisations through periods of significant change.

Gita is an experienced clinical psychologist who has dedicated her entire career to the NHS, where she continues to practise within mental health services. She has worked both nationally and regionally to advance the psychological professions, contributing to workforce development, innovation and the creation of supportive, evidence‑based approaches to staff wellbeing across the public sector.

Dr Niruban Ratnarajah, Chair at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, said:

We’re really pleased to be able to welcome Tony, Janat, Ian, Gita and Tirivake to our Board of Directors and drawing upon their expertise to help us deliver on our strategic ambitions to improve care and transform lives in Bolton.

“Although we continue to operate during challenges times, as a Board we look forward to being able to support our organisation to continue innovating as we develop the care we’re providing in the community, moving towards a more digital future and focusing on preventing illness so that people in Bolton can live healthier lives.

For more information about the Board of Directors, visit Bolton NHS Foundation Trust’s website.