Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust has appointed a new non-executive director.

Elizabeth Bishop, a director of finance and administration at the Nuffield Trust, oversees finance, investment, governance, legal, risk, IT and HR.

Mrs Bishop lives in Oxshott, Surrey, and held similar positions previously with homeless charity Shelter and community charity Tonybee Hall, which strive to end poverty in London’s East End.

She said: “The NHS is facing unprecedented financial challenges and Epsom and St Helier will be required to deliver its share of the necessary savings.

“I believe I have the skills and experience that would be helpful in working towards sustainable health care of the quality we all want and expect.

“I am used to working alongside senior members of the NHS.

“The chair of the Nuffield Trust is Professor Dame Carol Black and another trustee is Sir Hugh Taylor, who is chairman of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust.

“I very much look forward to bringing to Epsom and St Helier examples of best practice and innovative ideas.”

Trust chairman, Laurence Newman, said: "She has extensive skills across a range of disciplines and she has worked alongside many of our NHS colleagues and cares deeply about the NHS.

She is a valuable addition to our team, and we would like to wish her a warm welcome.”

Mrs Bishop succeeds Richard Cuthbert.