Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (BSMHFT) is pleased to announce that, following a recent recruitment process, Professor Russell Beale has joined its Board from 1 January 2017.
Prof Beale joins as a non-executive director, a role he also holds at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust. He brings a wealth of experience from his 25 years at the University of Birmingham, where he is currently Professor of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and Director of the HCI Centre, a major centre focusing on designing and developing the digital future. Prof Beale has achieved worldwide recognition for his work on using artificial intelligence to assist interaction between users and technology, is a Chartered IT Professional and Visiting Professor at the University of Swansea. He also has commercial and management experience, having held senior positions in both large and small technology organisations and founded six hi-tech companies.
Sue Davis CBE, Chair of the Trust, said: “I am delighted that Prof Beale will be joining our Board and bringing his extensive experience and expertise at this critical time for the NHS. In particular, his background and knowledge in computer science and IT and how it can be used to enhance people’s lives, will be invaluable in our Trust’s development of innovative digital solutions to improve mental healthcare.”
Prof Beale said: “I’m excited to be joining the BSMHFT Board. We face many challenges in the future in order to offer effective, safe, affordable care to all, and need to constantly innovate and challenge current approaches to ensure we are as supportive and efficient as we can be. My expertise is in understanding the issues that people face and then supporting them with the design and application of appropriate technology, new strategies, and ideas, and I look forward to using it for the benefit of patients, carers, clinicians, medical staff, and the wider community.”
