Northern Trust colleagues pay tribute to outgoing Chief Executive

BOARD members and colleagues from the Northern Health and Social Care Trust have paid tribute to outgoing Chief Executive Jennifer Welsh.

After almost eight years with the Northern Trust, five and a half years as Chief Executive, Jennifer is leaving to join the Belfast Trust.

Reflecting on Jennifer’s tenure, Trust Board Chair Anne O’Reilly described Jennifer as a “talented leader”.

“You are calm, considered and confident, and a recognised system leader,” Anne added.

“Your leadership style and acumen are inspiring; you are thoughtful, informed, and lead from the front. You have been able to roll with the punches while remaining steadfast in your values. I can think of no one more suited to the (Belfast Trust Chief Executive) role.”

Suzanne Pullins, Executive Director of Nursing, described Jennifer as “a stable influence”.

“You always listened to the patient story and you had concern for us, as individuals, with your good humour and strategic leadership,” said Suzanne.

Director of Operations, Gillian Traub, said Jennifer had made a “lasting mark on the organisation and all of us”.

Describing Jennifer’s “talent, determination and credibility”, Gillian said she had made “good working relationships the bedrock of change”.

“Jennifer’s leadership has extended beyond our Trust; she is a true system leader,” Gillian added.

“Excellence is one of Jennifer’s personal values and she took great pride in championing a unifying identity for staff to be proud of with ‘Team North’, and seeing how it has rippled out across the organisation.

“Your knowledge, expertise and compassion have been the anchor that has helped this Trust through difficult times. You are a class act and you will always be a friend.”