Airedale Hospital has appointed a new director of finance.

Andrew Copley, who has been deputy director of finance at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust for the past five years and has a clinical background, took up the post on January 1.

Former director of finance Sheenagh Powell has been appointed to the NHS Commissioning Board.

Andrew trained as a radiographer at Pinderfields and Pontefract Hospital, and after working in that clinical field for two years at St Luke’s Hospital in Bradford, he developed his skills by moving on to financial and IT-related projects helping the hospital prepare for trust status.

He spent 12 years at Calderdale and Huddersfield Foundation Trust as assistant finance director and as a senior finance manager for the former Calderdale Hospital.

Andrew, 47, said: “I am delighted with my new appointment. I’m not the typical finance director as I have a clinical background.

“My challenge for the new year will be to make sure that Airedale is not only financially sustainable but that we continue to provide high-quality services for patients in a climate that is difficult for all health organisations.”