East and North Hertfordshire Teaching NHS Trust has appointed Simon Cox as Chair of a newly established Philanthropy Board created to support fundraising for the Children's Big Build appeal.
Cox, founder and Managing Director of land agency Walter Cooper, will lead the board as it works to secure support from businesses, organisations and community networks for the appeal, which aims to raise £2m to enhance a new children's unit at Lister Hospital in Stevenage.
The Children's Big Build project will complement £11m of NHS investment in a new two-storey paediatric facility.
The development will provide 20 inpatient beds, 14 consulting rooms and dedicated clinical assessment and care areas, while funds raised through the appeal will be used to deliver additional child-friendly features and environments within the building.
Cox has supported East and North Hertfordshire Hospitals' Charity since 2020, contributing to a range of fundraising, staff wellbeing and training initiatives.
He also helped establish the Hertfordshire Residential Development Awards fundraising event, which has generated significant support for the charity's work.
Eloise Huddleston, Charity Director at East and North Hertfordshire Hospitals' Charity, welcomed the appointment, citing Cox's extensive business network and longstanding commitment to the organisation.
The Philanthropy Board will also include Trust chair Anita Day and members of the executive leadership team.
Commenting on his appointment, Cox said he was honoured to take on the role and help create a "leading centre of excellence" for children's healthcare, adding that the appeal represented an opportunity to make a lasting difference for young patients and their families across Hertfordshire and beyond.