THE chairman of the Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is stepping down after around nine years in the role.

Dennis Dunn MBE will be leaving the post in June this year after serving the trust since 2014.

After stepping down, Dennis will be giving his full commitment to his new role - the High Sheriff of Cheshire for 2023-24.

Believed to be the first high sheriff from Church Lawton in more than 1,000 years, he joins the first cohort of high sheriffs to be appointed by His Majesty King Charles III.

Dennis said: "The extraordinary privilege of being High Sheriff, though great, is insignificant in comparison to the enormous opportunity and indeed obligation, to make a difference in this role and to really benefit the many people and brilliant organisations of our wonderful county.

"My time at Mid Cheshire Hospitals has seen an exceptional period of transformation for the trust.

"I shall miss the very many colleagues in clinical and non-clinical roles and our marvellous volunteers - together they are the heartbeat of this special organisation.

"I leave it in good hands and with every confidence in its future. It has been an honour and a privilege to have been its chairman."

Dennis will be installed in a ceremony at the University of Chester on April 14 where he will succeed current High Sheriff, Jeannie France-Hayhurst.

A specialist in business information systems, Dennis has advised commercial organisations and universities around the world.

He is a former pro vice chancellor of the Manchester Metropolitan University and dean of MMU in Cheshire.

He was made an MBE in 2010 by Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and awarded honorary fellowship of Manchester Metropolitan University.

Dennis also serves on the boards of numerous organisations and is a national trustee of the British Red Cross.

He is also Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire.