University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (UHMBT) has appointed three new people to its board of directors.

The trust welcomes Nicola Haywood-Cleverly as a non-executive director, while Keith Andrew Robertson and Mike Wilson have been appointed as associate non-executive directors.

Professor Mike Thomas, chair of the trust, said: "I am delighted to officially welcome Nicola, Keith and Mike to our trust.

"Between them, they have a wealth of hugely valuable experience and expertise in improving care and outcomes for patients and will strengthen our board.

"Our non-executive directors are important in terms of holding our executive team to account through constructive scrutiny and challenge, and they are key to helping us to improve care, services and governance.

"Nicola, Keith and Mike will no doubt help to ensure that we provide excellent care for our patients and local communities as well as a great place to work for our staff."

Ms Haywood-Cleverly brings experience in delivering improvements across the health sector to the trust and she is also a board member at South Lakes Housing and Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust.

She has a background in engineering and has served as a chief digital and information officer for the NHS in hospital, mental health and community trusts, integrated care systems, and policing.

Ms Haywood-Cleverly is neurodiverse with lived experience of one-parent families and being a carer.

She is focused on assuring the diverse needs of the communities she serves are met.

Mr Wilson is based in Kendal and has spent his entire life living and working in the area.

As an associate non-executive director, his role involves supporting the trust board in delivering high-quality healthcare to the population.

He collaborates closely with other non-executive directors and stakeholders to ensure that the board's decisions reflect the needs and concerns of the community.

Mr Wilson began working with the board as a governor, and now works as an associate non-executive director to help integrate the local care systems and the services the hospitals offer with those of the surrounding trusts.

Mr Robertson is a fellow of the Chartered Management Institute and an experienced director, leading multidisciplinary teams within health and social care.

He has more than 20 years of experience as a registered manager and responsible individual with the Care Quality Commission.

In his career spanning more than 35 years, Mr Robertson has worked at the intersection of health and social care policy and patient advocacy at a local and national level to ensure the highest standards of health and care are delivered to all individuals within their communities.

As an associate non-executive director, he hopes to contribute to the New Hospitals Programme, which aims to improve hospital provision within the geographical area covered by UHMBT.