Greater Nottingham LIFT is a £45 million 25-year public private partnership (PPP) agreement between the four Greater Nottingham primary care trusts – Broxtowe & Hucknall, Gedling, Nottingham City and Rushcliffe – Nottingham City Council, Partnerships for Health and Primary Plus Ltd. These shareholders will build modern one-stop centres for health and social care throughout Greater Nottingham, in the areas that need them most.

Graham’s role as chairman is key as the Strategic Partnering Board provides the strategic leadership and integrated planning for the local primary health, social care and local authority partner organisations for which future LIFT schemes will be developed across Greater Nottingham. This also involves Nottinghamshire County Council, Broxtowe Borough Council and Rushcliffe Borough Council locally.

Graham (53) from Sherwood in Nottingham brings a wealth of experience to the role, having been elected to Nottingham City Council in 1987 and is the former chair of the Housing Committee. He was leader of the council for seven years until he stepped down in May 2002, and he is currently the executive member for education.

Graham is also deputy chair of the East Midlands Development Agency with responsibility for urban areas, and is a board member of the 4Ps – a local government organisation which advises local authorities on capital investment and procurement.

Graham says of his appointment: “I’m delighted to be working on the Greater Nottingham LIFT programme. Not only does it provide better access to a greater range of health, social care and local authority services, it breaks down the barriers to various professionals working effectively together for the benefit of local communities.

“I’m a firm believer in integrated public sector services and LIFT one-stop centres are the perfect way to make this a lasting reality.”