New chair appointed at Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals

A new chair is joining Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (WHH) to lead its Board of Directors. Andy Carter has been appointed to the position following a robust and competitive recruitment process.
 
Andy previously served as MP for the Warrington South constituency from 2019 to 2024, with his political career also seeing him serve as parliamentary private secretary in the Department of Work and Pensions and in the Department for Transport, as well as being a member of the Justice Select Committee.

Prior to becoming an MP, Andy had a highly successful career in commercial broadcast media management, followed by a consultancy role working with major high street brands.

Andy will join the organisation in January 2026 as associate non-executive director and chair designate. From 1 April he will take up the role of chair, replacing Professor Steve McGuirk whose final term comes to an end in March 2026 after having served the Trust for more than a decade. 
 
Speaking of his appointment, Andy said: “I am enormously grateful for everything the NHS delivers across Warrington, Halton and beyond, and I feel deeply honoured to have the opportunity to work alongside the thousands of dedicated staff and partner organisations. I am looking forward to leading the Board of Directors and the Council of Governors as we not only meet the challenges of today but also seize emerging opportunities - delivering the best possible outcomes for our patients, our NHS colleagues, and the communities our Trust is proud to serve.
 
“In this role, I will continue to advocate for the first-class healthcare infrastructure that we need, including fit for purpose hospitals and an urgent treatment centre in Warrington. I look forward to joining the Trust at a pivotal time, as hospital and community services are brought together into one organisation and as we focus on delivering the ambitions set out in the NHS 10 Year Health Plan.”
 
Sue Fitzpatrick, lead governor at WHH, said: “I am delighted to welcome Andy to Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals. He impressed at interview with his strong values, aligned with our own, and his commitment to improving the lives of people locally. He will be a great asset to the Trust, championing our staff and patients.
 
“I would also like to thank our outgoing chair, Steve McGuirk, for his outstanding leadership over so many years. Throughout that time, he has served the people of Warrington and Halton well and we wish him all the best for the next chapter of his lifelong career in public service.”