THE CHAIRMAN who led Gloucestershire-based charity and medical imaging provider Cobalt through five years of expansion and modernisation is retiring.

Gloucestershire businessman David Abel Smith, became chair of Cobalt’s board of trustees in 2008.

Since then Cobalt has appointed a new chief executive, launched new clinical services including Europe's first 3.0 Tesla high definition mobile MRI scanner, opened the Thirlestaine Breast Centre in Cheltenham and led successful fundraising campaigns.

These include the 'Heart, Mind and Body Appeal' to purchase a new state-of-the-art CT scanner for Cheltenham Hospital and the 'Clear About Breast Cancer Appeal' to raise funds to buy digital mammography equipment for Hereford County Hospital.

David is handing over the reins to distinguished engineer and businessman Peter Warry

Peter has a degree in Engineering and Economics from Oxford University (where he is an Honorary Fellow) and a doctorate from Reading as well as being the current chairman of the Royal Mint,

"I am thrilled and delighted to be joining Cobalt as chairman in its 50th anniversary year," said Peter.

"As a scientist, and a Cheltenham resident, I have long admired the work of Cobalt and the service delivered to patients across the UK.

"I look forward to building on the great work of David, the board of trustees and all the team and helping Cobalt prepare for the next 50 years."

For 50 years Cobalt has provided advanced diagnostic imaging, through scanning technology and skilled staff to help aid the diagnosis of cancer, dementia and other life-limiting conditions to improve and save lives.

Each year we provide diagnostic imaging for over 20,000 patients at Cobalt Imaging Centre in Cheltenham and with our mobile Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanners that travel throughout the three counties of Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire.