Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is pleased to announce the appointment of our new Chair, Richard Sumray.
Richard is an experienced Chair and Board Member across the health, care, justice and voluntary sectors. He will formally take up his role as Chair on 1 April 2023, replacing Simon Linnett, who has been our Chair since September 2014.
Richard is well respected and well known throughout the NHS, having been the previous Chair at Hillingdon Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Barnet Enfield and Haringey Strategy Coordination Group, Haringey NHS Primary Care Trust and Health Education England South London.
Speaking about his new role, Richard said: “I am delighted to be taking up the role of Chair at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. At a time when the NHS is facing unprecedented challenges including those created by the pandemic and building on the excellent work following the merger, I am looking forward to working with members, staff, patients and partners to make a positive difference to their experiences over the next few years at such a critical time for the health service.”
Simon Linnett, our current Chair said: “In Richard, I am confident we have identified a Chair who has the experience and commitment to work with the Trust Board, Chief Executive David Carter and the Executive Team to take the Hospitals forward on our clinical strategy post-merger, further deepening our relationships with partners and supporting our staff.
“Our Foundation Trust is very well supported by a committed group of Governors and Richard will, I am sure, receive support and appreciate the contribution they make.
“Alongside Chief Executive, David Carter, the pair will lead the organisation in the next, exciting step of our five-year Trust Strategy.”
Chief Executive, David Carter said: “I am thrilled to welcome Richard to our organisation. He is joining the Trust at a very exciting time and I look forward to working with him to take ahead the ambitious plans we have to improve our hospitals even further for staff and patients.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Simon Linnett for his long and dedicated service to our Trust over the past nine years. Simon has been our Chair through some of the most significant challenges the NHS has ever faced, including the pandemic. He also helped oversee the merger of our two hospitals, and has been instrumental in the approval of funding for our new Acute Services Block at the Luton and Dunstable site. His contribution to our hospitals will be a lasting legacy.”