A THREE Towns former RAF officer has been appointed a non-executive member to the Board of NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde (NHSGGC).

Alan Cowan took up the appointment from July 1 for a period of four years.

Alan grew up in Saltcoats, attended Auchenharvie Academy and was a member of 1138 (Ardrossan) Squadron Air Training Corps.

He served 35 years in the RAF Medical Services, where he worked in a wide range of senior health leadership appointments in the UK, Europe and USA.

He was responsible for the leadership of a specialist medical team delivering worldwide aeromedical evacuation and represented the UK on veterans’ health issues in the US Department of Veterans Affairs while based in Washington DC.

Before retiring he led the development of a new strategy for the UK Defence Medical Services, an organisation of 7,000 personnel.

Alan now lives in Largs and is a chartered manager and fellow of both the Chartered Management Institute and Institute of Healthcare Management.

He has previous board level experience, having served on the US Defence Health Board, chaired two international working groups and been a member of the Cross Government Global Health Steering Group.

John Brown, chairman of NHSGGC, said: “Alan’s appointment adds a high level of expertise to the NHSGGC board. ”