NHS Lothian’s chief executive has been awarded a top accolade for his work in healthcare management.
Professor James Barbour OBE has been granted a Companionship of the Institute of Healthcare Management (IHM) in recognition of the work he has done throughout his career in the NHS.
Only two per cent of members of the Institute of Healthcare Management can be granted Companionship, and Professor Barbour is one of only seven senior managers throughout the UK to be given the accolade this year.
The title has been awarded in recognition of the work Professor Barbour has done in supporting the graduate management trainee programme, having been part of the programme himself.
Professor Barbour has worked in the NHS for over thirty years. Following his first job in the NHS as a hospital porter he entered the Graduate Management Training Scheme in 1977 and subsequently worked in posts in Glasgow, Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, Manchester and Aberdeen.
James was a ‘first wave’ General Manager in 1986 and created Scotland’s first NHS Trust in Aberdeen in 1991. In 1994 he was appointed Chief Executive of Central Manchester Healthcare NHS Trust and four years later joined Sheffield Health Authority as Chief Executive.
Since August 2001 James has been Chief Executive of NHS Lothian, Scotland’s second largest Health Board.
James was awarded an OBE in 1992 for services to the NHS and in 2002 he was awarded an honorary professorship in health policy from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh. He also sits on the Court of the University of Edinburgh.
Professor Barbour said: “It is a great honour to have been recognised by the Institute of Healthcare Management for the work I have done over the course of my career in the NHS.
“I am particularly pleased that the IHM have recognised the importance of the graduate management trainee programme, as the graduates of today will become the leaders of tomorrow.”
Malcolm Wright, Chair of the Institute of Healthcare Management and Chief Executive of NHS Education for Scotland said: “The IHM has been delighted to award the honour of Companionship to Professor Barbour in recognition of his outstanding and sustained contribution to developing managers and management in the NHS and for his ongoing support of the work of the Institute.
“As public services move into a period of significant financial constraint, the value of professional management and leadership is even greater. I warmly congratulate Professor Barbour on this well deserved award.”
