THE NHS trust which manages St Helens and Whiston hospitals has named its new chief executive.

Rob Cooper will take the helm at Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (MWL) following a "competitive and open recruitment process".

He will take over from Ann Marr OBE who in July announced her intention to retire after 22 years in the post.

Mr Cooper is currently the Trust’s managing director and will commence in his new role on December 1, 2024.

Richard Fraser, chairman of MWL, said: “I’m pleased to announce the appointment of Rob as our chief executive.

"His unwavering focus on quality, patient care and staff experience has always shone through and I am sure that with the support of the Trust Board, the executive team and colleagues he will build on the achievements of Ann Marr who has led the Trust with such distinction for more than 20 years.’’

Mr Cooper has always worked in health and social care and worked in a local care home while completing his nursing degree at Liverpool University in 2001.

He went on to work in A&E, vascular surgery, and intensive care as a nurse, before joining the Trust in 2015 as assistant director of operations for medicine, progressing to become a director and then managing director.

Ms Marr has served the NHS for more than 40 years, starting her career as a junior clerk at the regional health authority before working her way up the ranks after qualifying as an accountant to become the director of finance at Aintree University Hospitals and then Chief Executive of Liverpool Women’s Hospital.

She was appointed chief executive of St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust  (STHK) in 2002 and was the driving force behind the building of the new Whiston and St Helens hospitals, replacing old Victorian estate with world-class healthcare facilities.

Under her leadership the organisation was recognised as one of the leading healthcare providers in the country. 

In July 2023 Southport and Ormskirk Hospital Trust joined forces with STHK and formed the Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Trust.