Trevor Purt
Trevor Purt was a Vice President with IBM Watson Health where he led International healthcare consulting. He was previously a senior NHS leader working within the wider NHS system in the North of England with a focus on the development of Accountable Care Organisations, population health and wider public sector integration. He was Chief Executive of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, a fully integrated NHS organisation with an annual budget of £1.3b employing 16,000 staff. He was Chief Executive of Rochdale Primary Care Trust from 2003 to 2006, and became Chief Executive of Heywood Middleton and Rochdale  Primary Care Trust when the PCTs were merged. He supported the programme of Independent sector treatment centres, which a number of other Provider Chief Executives said was unnecessary, on the grounds that it was necessary to increase local choice. Debbie Abrahams who was chair of the PCT at the time resigned while he was there over the use of private health companies in the NHS, which she said were 'destroying the NHS.' Mr Purt expressed disappointment but said "as an organisation, (the PCT is) fully committed to ensuring patients receive the best possible care when it is needed and where  it is wanted". He was the first Chief Executive of Hywel Dda University Health Board, appointed in 2009. His move from England was reported to have boosted self-confidence of healthcare managers in Wales. He was involved in controversial but subsequently successful service changes which resulted in the closure of the Special Care baby Unit at Withybush Hospital and removal of consultant led maternity services & paediatrics. He was the subject of criticism in 2013 because he did not sign a letter he sent regretting the death of a patient himself. He was awarded the title of Professor of Practice Health  Management in 2012 by Trinity St David University “for his work in health management”. In late June 2014 he took over as CEO of the troubled Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board following highly critical Public Accounts Committee and Welsh Audit office reports, both of which highlighted major legacy issues from previous board and management failures. Controversies. His suspension was subsequently lifted but the health board's special measures and direct control was extended until after the maternity services consultation and the National Assembly elections of 2016.