Ian Mullen appointed Chairman of hub East Central Scotland Territory

Ian Mullen, OBE, BSc, DL, has been appointed as Chairman of the hub East Central Scotland Territory. hub East Central Scotland Limited is a joint partnership between public and private sector organisations aimed at developing and delivering better local services across East Central Scotland. Commenting on his appointment, Ian said “With a background in the private sector and extensive public sector healthcare appointments, I am keen to use that experience to the benefit of the innovative hub procurement model. I look forward to working with the directors and management team of hubco to continue the positive momentum to date and timeously deliver the pipeline of opportunities to the benefit of local communities throughout the territory.” Chief Executive of the hub East Central Scotland, Neil McCormick, said “I worked with Ian during his tenure as Chairman of NHS Forth Valley, and am pleased to have the opportunity of working together again on this exciting public sector investment programme. We are working closely with our Private Sector Development Partner, Amber Blue, to drive forward a range of community based projects using both capital and revenue funding solutions. We will continue to work with our supply chain to maximise value for money initiatives, community benefits and local working arrangements.” Scottish Futures Trust's Accommodation Director John Hope stated: "Ian is joining at a pivotal time in the development East Central hubCo. His expertise in both the public and private sectors will bring real benefit towards the successful delivery of a growing number projects across the region. "We very much look forward to working with Ian in helping to make a real difference to communities in the East Central Region of Scotland." Ends Background Information The shareholders of hub East Central Scotland comprise 17 Public Sector bodices known collectively as ‘Participants’; the Scottish Futures Trust and a Private Sector Development Partner Amber Blue. Amber Blue is a Joint Venture comprising Robertson Capital Projects Ltd; Amber Infrastructure Ltd; and Forth Holdings Ltd. Further information is available at: www.hubeastcentralscotland.co.uk Ian Mullen Bio Ian Mullen is a pharmacist by profession and has both SME and public sector experience. He established and operated a successful group of community pharmacies across Central Scotland. As Chair of the organisation representing all Scottish community pharmacies, he led the establishment of still current legislation in Westminster to regulate the opening of new pharmacies in Scotland, briefing MPs and Peers across the political spectrum. Ian served 10 Scottish Health Ministers in a non-executive role and has an extensive understanding of the public sector. As an NHS chairman for 19 years, he chaired 2 NHS Trusts, and a Health Board. He served as Chair of the Scottish NHS Trust Chairs’ Group and was elected founder Chairman of the Scottish NHS Chairs’ Group (2000-2002). As Chair of NHS Forth Valley, an organisation with 8,000 staff and a £500m annual budget, Ian led the creation, development and implementation of a strategy to revolutionise local healthcare delivery. He led the successful management of the process, including the creation of a consensus amongst a range of stakeholders – local and national politicians and media, clinical staff, patients and public. The successful transfer of 700 NHS staff to a private sector provider in the Scottish political environment was completed with little fuss. The 860 bed Forth Valley Royal Hospital is the largest healthcare project so far completed in Scotland and is currently the most technologically innovative hospital in the UK. Ian Mullen has provided consultancy advice to clients such as Tesco, Morgan Grenfell, Kleinwort’s, the US Embassy in London, Schering, Kingfisher plc, Deutsche Bank, GSK and Pfizer. He has featured regularly in TV and radio news and current affairs programmes, and was invited to deliver a keynote address at Australian Healthcare Week 2011, in Sydney. He has presented in Western Australia, Spain and Switzerland, as well as in UK venues.