THE vice-chairman of Yorkshire Cancer Research is to be the new chairman of Tees, East and North Yorkshire Ambulance Service (TENYAS).

Dr Nicolas Varey, 62, a retired pharmaceutical physician who lives at Howden, near Goole, will take over the role on November 1 for four years.

The £16,417 appointment comes only two months after Jayne Barnes CBE took over as chief executive of the organisation. Last month, TENYAS scored zero marks in government league tables after failing key targets for financial management and meeting emergencies within eight minutes.

Dr Varey said: "I am very pleased to take on the role of chairman for Tees, East and North Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust. I realise that this is a challenging time for the organisation and I am committed to ensuring patients and the public receive the highest standard of care and service and that staff are supported in their work."

The current chairman, David Taylor, said: "I welcome Nick's appointment and wish him every success in this challenging role. He joins at an important time in the history of TENYAS."

Dr Varey qualified in medicine at St Andrew's University. After five years in the Army he spent eight years in general practice, at Howden.

He then became medical director of Reckitt and Colman in 1982, having responsibilities for both prescription and 'over the counter' medicine.

He has served on several international and national pharmaceutical bodies.

From 1984 to 1992 he was chairman of Hull Health Authority and then chairman of Royal Hull Hospitals NHS Trust until 1996. Until his appointment as chairman of TENYAS, Dr Varey was a non-executive director of North and East Yorkshire & Northern Lincolnshire Strategic Health Authority.

He is also vice-chairman of Yorkshire Cancer Research and chairman of the small national charity The Acne Support Group.

Updated: 08:38 Tuesday, August 12, 2003