Warrington-based 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust announced this week that Samantha Profitt, chief finance officer, and Helen Bellairs, non-executive director, had both joined its board.
They sit alongside other female colleagues, including the chief operating officer, director of HR and OD, medical director and director of nursing and quality.
Dianah Worman, the CIPD's public policy adviser on diversity, welcomed the announcement.
“Equalities minister Jo Swinson has warned that within the private sector there has been a 'worrying' slowing down of progress in terms of increasing the female profile at senior level,” she said.
“Therefore I see a 50:50 gender ratio at board level as a big pat on the back for the trust, and a real case of the public sector outwitting the private sector.”
5 Boroughs’ director of HR and OD, Tracy Hill, told HR magazine that the board didn't “actively seek out” female talent but always looked to recruit “the best person for the job”.
“I don't subscribe to the opinion women are discriminated against in the recruitment process,” Hill said.
“Women need to ensure they put themselves out in the market and build up confidence, as ultimately they can hold themselves back.”
