The first step in appointing permanent bosses at a NHS Trust has been taken.

Croydon Health Serviecs NHS Trust was left leaderless in March after the resignation firstly of CEO Nick Hulme following a poor Care Quality Commission report, and the subsequent departure of chairman of the board Brian Phillpott.

On Monday May 28, the NHS Appointments Commission appointed interim board chairman Michael Parker as the permanent chairman for a term of four years.

He has previously served as a non-executive director and vice chairman at Guy’s and St. Thomas’ NHS Trust before becoming chairman at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Trained as an accountant, he is a member of the Health Panel and was the chairman of the Corporate Governance and Risk Management Committee for the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.

His permanent appointment will allow the trust to begin the process of appointing a permanent CEO, who must be ratified by the chairman of the board.

John Goulston has been acting as interim CEO since Mr Hulme’s controversial departure and has expressed interest in taking on the role full-time.

Mr Parker will be paid £20,896 a year.

He is a Board Member of the Food Standards Agency until May 2012 and has no other ministerial appointments and has no declared political activity but is a Labour Party member and is the treasurer and vice chairman of the Central London Fabian Society