THE new man at the helm of North Yorkshire’s health trust has admitted there are “real challenges” to face up to as he prepares to get to work in the role.

Kevin McAleese has been appointed as chairman of NHS North Yorkshire and York and will command a five-figure salary for between three and three-and-a-half days work each week.

He steps up from his current post as the organisation’s vice-chairman and will replace the current incumbent John Wardle, who announced his decision to retire in January.

Mr McAleese will start work next week after his new position – a fixed post for four years which pays a £38,823 salary – was confirmed by the Appointments Commission “I am delighted to have been appointed chairman of NHS North Yorkshire and York,” said Mr McAleese, who also holds one other public appointment as chairman of the British-American Committee at RAF Menwith Hill, near Harrogate.

“I have worked alongside John Wardle for the past seven years and it is a privilege to be invited to succeed him. I am going to be working closely with the chief executive Jayne Brown, the chair of the clinical executive Dr Vicky Pleydell and our talented board of directors. These are exciting times for NHS North Yorkshire and York as we begin the process of investing for better health across our many localities.”