Public appointment: Chair appointed to the Tayside NHS Board

The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Neil Gray MSP today announced the appointment of Tom Spink as Chair of the Tayside NHS Board.

Chair

Tom Spink, having successfully led the Board of one of the largest teaching hospitals in England, understands the challenges of delivering improved performance and quality of care, at a time when finances are stretched. His experience of delivering both private and public sector transformation through multi-disciplinary teams, will be highly relevant to the journey NHS Tayside is on. Their staff and partners are critical to their success, and Tom looks forward to bringing his very open style of engagement to the organisation. He is confident that NHS Tayside is well placed to continue the process of delivering better care, closer to home, reducing health inequalities and advancing digital innovation – all objectives that he has significant experience of. Tom is honoured to be appointed as Chair of NHS Tayside and looks forward to working with the Board and others to deliver their strategic plans.

Appointment

This appointment will be for 4 years and will run from 13 April 2026 to 12 March 2030.

This appointment is regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

This appointment is part-time and attracts a remuneration of £65,832 per year for a time commitment of 3 days per week.

Other ministerial appointments

Tom Spink does not hold any other public appointments.

Political activity 

All appointments are made on merit, and political activity plays no part in the selection process.  However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity within the last five years (if there is any to be declared) to be made public.   

Tom Spink has had no political activity within the last five years. 

Background

NHS Tayside is responsible for meeting the health needs and improving the health and wellbeing of over 400,000 people living in Tayside, and provides a comprehensive range of primary, community-based, and acute hospital services for the populations of Angus, Dundee City and Perth & Kinross.