A FAILING NHS trust has appointed a new chairman.

Ian Peters will lead Barts Health Trust from April after he stands down as a director of central and north west London NHS Foundation Trust.

Barts Health runs Whipps Cross Hospital in Leytonstone which was placed into special measures in 2015. Last December the hospital was deemed “inadequate” by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Last month Barts Health announced plans to submit a bid to NHS Improvement for a £500 million redevelopment at Whipps Cross Hospital.

Mr Peters will take over from acting chairman Alastair Camp, who will continue in his role as vice chairman.

Mr Peters said: “I am very excited about joining Barts Health and eager to get on with the job at hand, making sure we provide high quality, efficient services for the 2.5 million people we serve. 

“It will be a great privilege to lead an organisation which can make such a difference for so many people.”

Mr Peters will step down as chairman of Family Mosaic, one of the capital’s largest housing associations. When the company merges with Peabody this summer he will take on the role of vice chairman. Mr Peters who has worked in financial services and energy is also chairman of British Gas.

Chief executive of Barts Health Alwen Williams said: “I am delighted that Ian will be joining us.  He brings a wealth of experience that can help us build on our recent progress.

“On behalf of my executive team I would like to thank Alastair Camp for the leadership he has shown over the last six months. I look forward to continuing to work with him, Ian and the rest of the board to make sure our patients receive safe and compassionate care.”