A FORMER banker who helped organise a rescue package for the Cooperative Bank will take over the helm at Great Western Hospital.

Liam Coleman stepped down as the Co-op Bank’s chief executive in June, becoming their fifth chief to quit in seven years. In 2017, he negotiated a £700m rescue deal to avoid the bank being wound down by the Bank of England.

Now, he is to take over as chairman of the Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. IT businessman Roger Hill will step down in January, after a decade on the hospital board.

Mr Coleman, who served as a non-executive director at GWH from 2009 to 2016, said: “I’m delighted to be back at GWH and even more delighted to be appointed chairman.

“Having worked as a non-executive director for the trust for seven years I am very aware of the dedication and pressures placed upon everybody within the trust.

“I hope everyone can feel confident that I will continue the excellent work Roger has been doing as well as applying my own influence and guidance to ensure we always aim to deliver excellent, high quality care.”

The ex-Nationwide director’s appointment comes at a time of financial pressure for GWH.

Nerissa Vaughan, GWH chief executive, said: “I am confident he is the ideal person to lead the Board, at what is a very challenging time for the whole NHS.

“We will be sad to say farewell to Roger, who has been on the board for 10 years and chairman for the past five years.

“He helped lead the board through a challenging period of enforcement action, the establishment of Wiltshire Health & Care and into a position where we could successfully combine Swindon community services together with acute care, which is helping to provide joined-up care for local people.”

Mr Coleman will take over as chairman in February.