Pamela Charlwood biography

Pamela Charlwood was appointed for three years from November 2009.  She has worked as a senior manager in the NHS for 27 years, latterly as chief executive of Avon Health Authority which was responsible for commissioning all health services for a population of one million.

During her health service career, Pamela had particular interests in mental health and learning disability services, training and development, and information management: she contributed to national policy development on these topics and served on numerous boards and committees, both nationally and in Bristol.  Pamela was director of the Institute of Health Services Management in the early 1990s and this role involved frequent contact with politicians of all parties and considerable media exposure.

In 2002, Pamela set up the government-funded Connexions service in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, through a registered charity and not-for-profit company limited by guarantee. The Connexions Partnership provided information, advice, guidance and support for young people; a particular feature of the service was the involvement of young people in the planning, delivery, governance and evaluation of the service.

Pamela is currently vice chair of Hampshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, which provides mental health and learning disability services.  She is the non-executive lead for clinical governance and risk management and chairs the Trust’s Assurance Committee.  She plays an active part in the involvement of members and governors of the Foundation Trust and also acts as a Mental Health Act review manager.

Other roles include board member of the South East England Regional Development Agency (SEEDA) and regional council member of the Learning and Skills Council.  She is also a governor of Treloar College, a specialist college for disabled young people.