The Royal Free London’s council of governors has appointed two new non-executive directors to the trust’s board. 

Mary Basterfield, who took her position last week, and Akta Raja, who will take her seat in January, will join the team alongside four existing non-executive directors.

Mary is a qualified accountant, currently chief financial officer for the UK and Ireland at global media, digital marketing and communications group Dentsu Aegis Network, and forrmer chief financial officer of Hotels.com. 

She said: “I’m very pleased to have been appointed to the Board of the Royal Free London. There are a range of exciting projects taking place at the trust and I look forward to lending my skills and expertise to help ensure they are successful.”

Akta, has a background as a corporate lawyer and investment banker and is currently a partner at Ansor Ventures, a firm that incubates start-ups.

She said: “I am delighted to be joining the Royal Free London’s board. This is an incredibly exciting time for the trust and I look forward to working with the rest of my colleagues to ensure that it continues to thrive.”

 Dominic Dodd, the trust chairman, said: “I would like to welcome Akta and Mary to the team and look forward to working with them both in the coming years. 

“They bring new expertise and experience to our board at an important time for the Royal Free as we develop our group model.”

Ends

Images: Top, Akta Raja and bottom, Mary Basterfield

Notes to editors

About the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

The Royal Free began as a pioneering organisation and continues to play a leading role in the care of patients. Our mission is to provide world class expertise and local care. In the 21st century, the Royal Free London continues to lead improvements in healthcare.

The Royal Free London attracts patients from across the country and beyond to its specialist services in liver and kidney transplantation, haemophilia, renal care, HIV, infectious diseases, plastic surgery, immunology, Parkinson's disease, vascular surgery, cardiology, amyloidosis and scleroderma and we are a member of the academic health science partnership UCLPartners.

In July 2014 Barnet Hospital and Chase Farm Hospital became part of the Royal Free London. Read 'A bigger trust, a better future'.