A leading business figure in Coventry and Warwickshire has been chosen to head a major medical charity in the region.
Paula Deas, Deputy CEO and Operations Director for the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) has been named as the new chair of the University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire Charity, which allocates money to improve conditions and facilities for patients, staff and their families.
She takes over from Andrew Meehan, who has moved away from the area after five years in the role.
Deas was born in the then Walsgrave Hospital in Coventry and has worked in the region for 28 years. She has been with the LEP – an alliance of private and public organisations charged with growing the local economy, attracting new jobs and investment, and increasing prosperity – for the last decade.
She said: “My day job is about helping create the conditions to allow Coventry and Warwickshire to achieve its economic potential for the good of all who live and work here and I am passionate about making a difference in Coventry and Warwickshire.
“I have long admired the work of the University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire Charity and have been very aware of the difference it can make in key areas particularly during such testing times.
“There is a very vigorous board and a talented team dedicated to raising and distributing much needed funds to make the biggest possible difference to key areas.”
Director of UHCW Charity, Jo O’Sullivan said: “Our new Chair shows commitment and passion and has an amazing track record of attracting funding into the region whilst building a network of business contacts.
“We look forward to working with her and developing UHCW Charity further, so that we can make things better for our staff, our patients and their families.”