WARRINGTON Disability Partnership has a new leadership team at the helm, with founder Dave Thompson becoming Chief Executive designate and former health chief and council leader John Gartside being elected Chairman of the Trustees.
John has been a patron of WDP since its launch and was also instrumental in many areas of the charity’s early development stemming back to the early 1990s.
He has a wealth of experience including being the former leader of Warrington Borough Council, chair of the boards at three NHS Trusts, a member of the board at Big Lottery and a trustee of the Warrington Wolves Foundation and Foundation for Peace.
Dave said: “I am looking forward to working closely with John, it brings back memories to twenty years ago when I first joined the NHS and John was our chairman. His network of contacts is second to none and his knowledge and skills of organisational development are excellent.
“I feel his professionalism will be a great asset to Team WDP.”
John, who is also a Freeman of the borough, said: ” I am delighted to be working alongside Dave and the board of Trustees.
“But more important than my appointment is the role of the new Chief executive who has demonstrated he is the ideal person for the role after dedicating much of his life to the charity he helped set up.
“There are ambitious plans to further embed WDP into Warrington’s social, cultural and business life, especially when creating opportunities for people with disabilities and long term health conditions.
“The Centre for Independent Living really does illustrate how people can be more independent and active than they realise.”
Picture shows John Gartside and Dave Thompson.
