Ceremonial role for health boss

Shauna Dixon . . . delighted at her appointment

OLDHAM health boss Shauna Dixon has been appointed as Deputy Lord Lieutenant for Greater Manchester.

Mrs Dixon, director of clinical leadership for NHS Oldham (formerly Oldham Primary Care Trust), was appointed to the role by the Lord Lieutenant for Greater Manchester, Warren Smith.

It will be her job to assist him in public duties, such as arranging visits by members of the Royal family, escorting royal visitors, and presenting medals and awards on behalf of the Queen.

Her duties will also include participating in civic, voluntary and social activities and liaising with local units of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army, Royal Air Force and their associated cadet forces.

Mrs Dixon was a lieutenant colonel with the Territorial Army for 15 years, and was also a matron in a field hospital. She joined the NHS at the age of 16 as a cadet nurse.

She is actively involved in SaBRE (Supporting Britain’s Reservists and Employers), a Ministry of Defence campaign to encourage employers to take on members of the reserve forces, and also of the Reserve Forces and Cadets’ Association.

She said: “I was delighted to get this appointment. It is a real pleasure to have my work with the Territorial Army and with the NHS recognised in this way.”

The office of Lord-Lieutenant is of military origin, and dates back to the days of Henry VIII.

The role related to local defence, but that has now disappeared, although the links are maintained by association with volunteer reserve forces.