Neil Ashman appointed CEO
We are delighted to announce that Dr Neil Ashman will become the next Chief Executive of The Royal London and Mile End hospitals after Jackie Sullivan retires.
Currently our group director of clinical transformation, Dr Ashman has been associated with The Royal London for most of his medical career, including being deputy chief executive from 2017-19.
He was appointed this week after an open competition from a strong field which included international candidates. Jackie leaves us at the end of this month and Lucie Butler, director of nursing, will be acting chief executive until arrangements are made for a formal handover.
Dr Ashman specialised at the Royal London before being appointed as a consultant nephrologist – specialising in diseases of the kidney – almost 20 years ago.
Since then he has held a variety of key roles including chair of the medicine board, national clinical advisor for the NHSE Renal Service Transformation Programme, and London clinical lead for outpatients within the elective recovery programme.
He was deputy CEO for the period in which The Royal London team achieved a Good rating from the Care Quality Commission, and was influential in setting up key partnerships in Tower Hamlets with community services, GPs and the local authority.
Neil said:
“There is still much to do for the people of Tower Hamlets and east London, both with our partners and within our group of hospitals. It is an incredible privilege to follow Jackie Sullivan’s superb leadership.
“I’ll be working with some of the most talented and capable staff in the NHS, with a skilled and tested executive team in one of the most diverse and exciting boroughs in the country. I look forward to joining you, hearing your views, and shaping a shared purpose for our hospitals and our patients.”
Interviews for the substantive chief executive posts at Newham and Whipps Cross hospitals, currently held on an interim basis, are scheduled for the end of the month.