Two new board members join the Trust

Two new non-executive directors have joined the board of Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust.

Jatinder Sharma, principal and chief executive of Walsall College and Andy Argyle who led the public sector team at KPMG before recently retiring, started in their roles at the Trust on 1 May.

A qualified accountant and highly experienced leader, Midlands-born Jatinder has previously held a number of senior positions in both private and public sectors. He is a passionate champion of the vital role that skills and training play in the development of the West Midlands economy and the ongoing regeneration of Walsall and the Black Country. He is a board member of the Association of Colleges and is a member of the Walsall Proud Partnership.

Jatinder, who was awarded a CBE in the 2023 New Year Honours for his services to Further Education, said: “I am delighted to have been appointed as a non-executive director.  I look forward to contributing to the Trust’s vision and values, including its partnership work with healthcare and community-led organisations and how it uses information, advice and support services to improve the health and wellbeing outcomes of the people and families we serve.”

Meanwhile, Andy joins the Trust following a 35-year career working in corporate audit, transaction services and latterly the public sector. He qualified as a UK chartered accountant in 1989, before moving to KPMG in Germany. Andy joined the KPMG partnership in 1999 as an audit partner and between 2005 and 2010 he led the Midlands transaction services team.

Following another period in Germany, he moved into the public sector team where he was the audit lead on a number of NHS Trusts, Universities and FE Colleges. He also led the client relationship strategy with the Mayor of the West Midlands, the West Midlands Combined Authority and regional government.

He said: “I am excited to join the board at this important time for the Trust ahead of the opening of the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital. I look forward to using my professional experience, regional business network and local knowledge to support the board with its patient and workforce priorities.”

Andy has also chaired CORE, a central Birmingham based academy trust and remains a member there.
Sir David Nicholson, Chairman of SWB NHS Trust, said: “I’d like to extend a warm welcome to Jatinder and Andy. Both are bringing a wealth of experience with them and will prove invaluable additions to our board.”