Sarah Billiald has been appointed Chief Executive of Redhill-based First Community Health and Care.

Set up in 2011, social enterprise First Community delivers healthcare services in East Surrey and North West Sussex for the NHS and is a major local employer with around 400 staff.

Sarah Billiald is currently Managing Director of Collaborate CIC, an independent social business which helps public services work together to deliver better outcomes for the public. From 2008-2014, Sarah Billiald was Chief Executive of Kent Probation. Sarah lives in Dorking with her husband and six year old son and enjoys swimming and running the local infant school choir.

‘I am delighted that Sarah will be joining First Community Health and Care at anexciting time in our development,’ said Elaine Best, Chairman of First Community. ‘As a growing social enterprise providing children’s services, vital nursing, therapy and other healthcare to people to local people, Sarah’s breadth and depth of experience will help us build on the achievements made in our first five years as we improve our support to local people with their health and care needs.'

Sarah Billiald said: ‘I feel privileged to have the opportunity to build on the quality and innovation that First Community is well known for at an important time for health services.  Working with staff, partners and the users of our services, I believe that health services should support people to be well, happy and empowered members of our communities in east Surrey.  I look forward to supporting First Community in the next phase of its journey.’

Sarah will join First Community from 14 November 2016.