It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of former NHS Lothian Chairman, Brian Houston, who has died following an illness at the age of 76.
Brian served as Chairman for 7 years until 2020 bringing to the role vast experience from his highly successful business career. As a former European CEO of a global management consultancy firm, Brian’s expertise lay in strategy development and change management and he used these skills to good effect championing innovation and supporting the development of a Quality Improvement Strategy for NHS Lothian.
His passion for the NHS was deeply personal though and he described it as “a magnificent organisation for which everyone has their own reasons to be thankful”. The energy and commitment he displayed in the role was clear for all to see.
As a lifelong football supporter, Brian was equally as passionate about his beloved Hibernian FC and served on the Board of Directors there too. During the pandemic, a unique fundraising partnership was formed between Hibernian FC and the NHS Lothian Charity, then known as the Edinburgh and Lothians Health Foundation. The club fondly remembers that Brian seized an opportunity to join the fundraising efforts by running 11k to Hampden for the Scottish Cup Final in 2021, saying “I’m only 72, it should be a doddle.”
Together with his family, he also launched an initiative in January 2021 to encourage people to donate £5 when they received their COVID vaccination to show their gratitude by contributing to a fund to help make a difference to people badly affected by the pandemic.
Brian will be remembered at NHS Lothian for leading the Board with integrity, intelligent curiosity and supporting a kinder, values based culture. His parting shot to staff upon announcing his retirement in 2020, was “I am in awe of what you achieve every single day. Keep at it!”
Our thoughts and condolences go to his family.
