Community Health Partnerships (CHP) has appointed Pete Cornforth and Eric Guillaume as non-executive directors for three-year terms.

Community Health Partnerships a company owned by Department of Health and Social Care. Incorporated in 2001 it set out to improve community-based health and social care services and the the NHS estate through public private partnerships established through the NHS Local Improvement Finance Trust (LIFT) programme. Through these joint ventures it has designed, built, financed and operate a portfolio of more than 300 properties providing health and social care services for local communities, especially in areas of high need.

Cornforth has more than 35 years’ experience in the investment and asset management sector. He is a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and previously held non-executive roles at Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Trust and One Housing Group, while currently undertaking roles at John Whitgift Foundation, Transport for London, The Ormiston Trust and East London NHS Foundation Trust.

Cornforth said: “I hope to bring a balance of motivation, energy, skills and experience as a new NED. I very much appreciate the crucial role the NHS estate has to play in enabling system transformation, together with the upcoming challenge that end of current LIFT contracts pose for this core estate. I look forward to working with the chair and the board to provide constructive challenge and strategic input, supporting the evolution of a values-led organisation.”

Guillaume has more than 20 years’ experience developing strategies and delivered major programmes of digital business transformation at board level. He has worked in the public and private sectors for companies including Grosvenor Group, ITV and AOL as well as the UK Parliament, HMRC and the BBC. A former sociologist, he has knowledge of behavioural science and its effect on organisational culture and change management. Guillaume is the first chair of the digital committee at the Energy Saving Trust and a non-executive director for the Notting Hill Genesis Housing Association.

Guillaume said: “I am elated to be joining the board of Community Health Partnerships as it continues to drive forward on the delivery of its vision and purpose, supporting the NHS with innovative and sustainable spaces for patient care in a challenging post pandemic context. My approach is consultative and collaborative, I look forward to working with the board and sharing my experience in customer satisfaction and the often-underestimated impact of culture and the human aspects of change.”

Catherine Mason, chair of CHP said: “After a rigorous recruitment process, I am confident that [Cornforth and Guillaume] will be able to provide a positive and valuable contribution to CHP moving forwards. Their experience, knowledge and skills will be a real asset to the organisation, and I am very much looking forward to working with them.”