Preston-based Eric Wright Group has appointed Lesley McGregor as the new managing director of its health and dare business.
The company has also promoted Wayne Ashton to the position of director.
McGregor joins from Community Health Partnerships (CHP) where she worked for eight-and-a-half years, six of which she in the position of regional property director across the North West and North East and Yorkshire.
At CHP, she was responsible for the property and asset management function of the Local Improvement Finance Trust (LIFT) estate, as well as being the national soft facilities management lead for £40m worth of contracts from procuring services to contract delivery.
Ashton, who has been with Eric Wright Health and Care since 2014, initially joined as head of strategic planning and became LIFTCo director in 2019.
Commenting on her appointment, McGregor said: “It’s an exciting time to join the business, working in partnership with the NHS and local authorities to support the delivery of clinical services across the North West.
“I was also incredibly impressed with the company’s excellent reputation as a business which creates profit for purpose, helping to enhance the lives of the people in the communities in which it operates.
“The health and care business provides specialist knowledge and skills as a key partner and majority shareholder in a number of long-term strategic partnerships in the region.
“Some of the main challenges are tackling how we help clients work towards zero carbon in line with the NHS’s own targets; the delivery of fast-tracked digitisation and integration in new fit-for-purpose health care buildings; and retrofitting across an aging NHS property portfolio.”
She added: “The team’s role has also expanded rapidly under COVID to include the rapid provision of step-down healthcare facilities and testing centres.
“We will be continuing to help the NHS optimise both the value and functionality of its property portfolio, flexing to the needs of the local community and providing cost-efficient solutions to public sector challenges as people’s healthcare needs change and as the NHS itself evolves.”
Jeremy Hartley, group managing director, said: “Lesley brings considerable sector experience and leadership to our health and care business.
“Her knowledge and understanding of the region’s evolving needs will help us shape our future business model to ensure we continue to meet the changing demands of both our public and private sector clients.
“She joins at an exciting time when we see increasing opportunities for working in partnership across many parts of both the health and care sectors.”
