The NHS Trust Development Agency has re-appointed Stephen Swords as chairman of the Hounslow and Richmond Community Healthcare NHS Trust.

Mr Swords was first appointed in January 2010 and was re-appointed for a further two-year term from April 2013.

Among his achievements are overseeing the merger between Hounslow and Richmond and securing trust status for the organisation in 2010.

He said: "I am extremely proud of what we have achieved as an organisation since coming into being in 2010, and first and foremost of our staff and services who provide such vital care for local people in the heart of the Hounslow and Richmond communities we serve.

"I am honoured to be re-appointed as chairman of this cracking community NHS trust and will seek to continue positively influencing the provision of local, high-quality healthcare and services for Hounslow and Richmond residents over years to come."

Mr Swords, who lives in Kew, works as a mechanical engineer and has served as a councillor for both Richmond and Luton.