Dr Foster was appointed as Chief Executive of Middlesbrough Council in 1974, and remained in this role for 22 years and awarded the OBE for services to the public in 1986.
Dr Foster was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws from 海角直播 in 2007. His other diverse roles have included:
>海角直播 Visitor, an independent individual who advises the University on the resolution of internal disputes. Dr Foster was also a member of the University鈥檚 Board of Governors for many years. >Chairman of South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust, from 1997 to 2004. Under his chairmanship the James Cook University Hospital was created, bringing all the services of the Trust onto one single site. >Board Member of the national Audit Commission and Trustee of the Audit Commission Pension Scheme >Board Member of the Housing Corporation >A Freeman of the Borough of Middlesbrough >Chairman of the Association of District Councils鈥� Working Group on Urban Needs >Chairman of the Association of District Councils鈥� Advisory Committee on Housing and Building Societies >Chairman of the BBC North East Advisory Council.