NORTH Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust has appointed Carol Withenshaw as a non-executive director.

Carol, of Appleton, is a trustee of Halton Haven Hospice.

She has had extensive experience of the healthcare industry as a former managing director of Calea UK Ltd and as a main board director of Fresenius UK Ltd.

She is married with a daughter and grandson and in her spare time enjoys keep-fit, rambling and badminton.

She began her new role on July 1 and her appointment, which was agreed by the NHS Appointments Commission in line with the Commissioner for Public Appointments Code of Practice, will run until June 30, 2010.

She said: "I am delighted to have been appointed as a non-executive director. I believe passionately about providing high quality health services to the people of North Cheshire. I am looking forward to working with the board in meeting the challenges which lie ahead."