[holding answer 27 November 2007]: The appointment of chairs and non-executive members of national health service trusts has been delegated by the Secretary of State (Alan Johnson) to the Appointments Commission.
There is no requirement for executive members of a NHS trust board to be representative of the area served by the trust.
Preference will be given to people from the area served by the trust and the Commission will take account of the geographical spread of those recommended for appointment. The overarching principle, however, will be of appointment on merit. It will always be in the best interests of all of the communities served if the best available people are appointed to these important roles.