New President of Attend

7^th April 2014

New President of Attend announced

Attend is delighted to announce the appointment of Lord Patel of Dunkeld in Perth and Kinross as the new President of the organisation.

Lord Patel takes over from his friend and colleague Lord Fraser, following Lord Fraser’s death in 2013. 

Lord Patel is an obstetrician and cross bench peer, and worked for more than thirty years at Dundee’s Ninewells Hospital. He received a knighthood in the 1997 Queen’s Birthday Honours and was created a life peer in 1999.

In 2006, Lord Patel was appointed Chancellor of the University of Dundee. In 2009, he was appointed to the Order of the Thistle – the highest chivalric honour in Scotland and second only in the UK to the Order of the Garter – honouring those who have held public office or who have contributed in some way to national life.

Lord Patel said:

“I have been a friend of a number of people involved with Attend for many years, including Lord Fraser and Baroness Emerton, and have heard many wonderful things.

“With the sad loss of Lord Fraser I was extremely honoured to be approached to become President. I cannot of course fill his shoes, but I will do all I can to bring my own commitment and experience to supporting Attend as it moves into its 66^th year.”

Chief Executive of Attend, David Wood OBE, said:

“As a national charity representing over 630 voluntary groups in health and social care we couldn’t have found a better President to stand at the head of our organisation. I am delighted that Lord Patel has agreed to take on the role and I look forward to working with him over the coming years.”

Lord Patel will be attending a number of events to meet member groups of Attend, as well as chairing the AGM later this year.