CALDERSTONES Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has announced a new chairman.

John Berry has been appointed to the £42,000-a-year role for the next three years.

Mr Berry first joined the trust, which provides community services across East Lancashire for people with learning disabilities and on-site care in Whalley for people with complex behavioural, mental health and social needs, in November 2006, as a non executive director.

Formerly working in senior commercial and general management roles mainly with BAE Systems, he chaired the trust’s finance committee as a non executive director and subsequently deputy chairman and acting chairman.

He has also been a member of the audit committee, and the remuneration committee.

Mr Berry, who lives in Bilsborrow with his wife, has three children and six grandchildren. He is a keen follower of most sports and especially enjoys keeping fit, walking and golf.

He said: “I am honoured to have been appointed to take on this key role.

“The delivery of top class services for people with a learning disability is very important and I believe that Calderstones’ vision for the future development of services will benefit service users, their families and our staff.”

All non-executive appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process.

Mr Berry has no declared political activity and does not hold any other ministerial appointments.

Calderstones chief executive Russ Pearce said: “John has a wealth of experience that will be of the greatest value to the trust as we move forward developing first rate services for people with learning disabilities.”