A FORMER Royal Air Force pilot has been appointed chairman of Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust.

Derek Brown has been a non-executive director at the trust since November 2007, and has since helped set up new inpatient facilities.

Prior to his time at a Lancashire Care, Derek served as a Royal Air Force officer and pilot for 14 years until joining BAE Systems.

He spent 14 of his 28 years with the company overseas where he directed and managed large scale programmes for customers.

Mr Brown said: “I am delighted to have been appointed as chair and look forward to making a valuable contribution to the trust and its future direction.

“I hope to build on the skills and knowledge I have gained during my time as non-executive director and I am excited to be in a position to drive the trust forward and improve services for the people of Lancashire.”

Heather Tierney-Moore, chief executive, said: “Derek brings with him a wealth of experience and I am confident that he will have a positive influence on the organisation as we look to progress and develop.”