Powys Teaching Health Board has appointed a new chairman for the first time in eight years.

Minister for Health and Social Services Eluned Morgan has selected Carl Cooper as the preferred candidate for the position.

His four-year term and succeeding Professor Vivienne Harpwood will begin on October 17.

Mr Cooper has extensive experience working in the third sector in Wales and in the Powys area, including 14 years as chief executive of Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations, from which he is stepping down on October 16 to take on the new role.

He said: “I am honoured and delighted to have been appointed chair of Powys Teaching Health Board.

“I look forward to working with all members of the board, including the executive team, to provide the best possible health and wellbeing services across the county.

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“I will seek to run effectively with the baton passed to me by Professor Vivienne Harpwood and thank her for her exemplary leadership over the last eight years.

“My immediate focus will be on supporting the board in its core work of setting direction, scrutinising performance and shaping culture, in order that the people we serve continue to receive the high standard of care and support they rightly deserve and expect.”

Mr Cooper attended a pre-appointment hearing held by the Senedd’s Health and Social Care Committee on September 21 after which his candidacy was approved.

Ms Morgan said: “I welcome the appointment of Carl Cooper as the new chair of Powys Teaching Health Board. He will bring a wealth of local knowledge and experience of working in third sector in Powys to the role.

“I look forward to working with him as we continue to improve health services for local communities.

“I also want to thank Professor Viv Harpwood for all her years of service to the health board and to people throughout Powys.”

Scheduled to leave office on October 16, Professor Harpwood added: “It has been a great honour and privilege to serve the people of Powys for the last eight years as chair of the health board, particularly as together we faced one of the most challenging periods for the county and the NHS during the Covid pandemic.

“The board has gone from strength to strength across the years based on the laudable efforts of staff and partners, and I know that Carl and the Board will be able to build on these achievements.”