‘Exceptional’ chief leaves trust to make way for group model

The chief executive of a trust that just opened a new hospital after years of delays is leaving, paving the way for a group model of acute trusts.

Richard Beeken is departing his role as CEO of Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals Trust, which opened the new Midland Metropolitan University Hospital in October, after almost four years at the helm.

Diane Wake, chief executive of neighbouring Dudley Group Foundation Trust, will take over as leader of SWBH while keeping the role at DGFT — creating a group model for the south of the Black Country.

Mr Beeken, who joined SWBH as interim CEO in February 2021 before being made substantive that September, is leaving in January 2025 and is exploring options for his next role.

He said: “After an immense journey leading this remarkable organisation, I have made the difficult decision to step down as CEO to pursue opportunities that allow me to take a slightly steadier pace at work and focus more on family life…

“While it is bittersweet to say goodbye, I am confident that the organisation will continue to thrive and make an even greater impact in the years to come.”

Former NHS England chief executive Sir David Nicholson is group chair of all four Black Country acutes, which work closely together and share staff across certain services through an acute provider collaborative.

Joanne Chadwick-Bell was recently announced as the new group CEO of the northern Black Country trusts, Royal Wolverhampton Trust and Walsall Healthcare Trust.

The four were ordered by NHSE in 2021 to “rapidly agree” a hospital group model.

Sir David said: “Richard’s tenure has been marked by exceptional leadership and unwavering dedication to delivering an inspiring vision that leaves a lasting legacy for us all… His crowning achievement has been the successful opening of our new hospital — a monumental task, completed in the face of adversity.”

He added: “We have decided to move forward with the interim appointment of a single CEO, Diane Wake… to lead both trusts.”

Mr Beeken has held several senior roles in the Black Country system, and was CEO of WHT for three years prior to joining SWBH.

He also led Wye Valley Trust out of special measures and achieved similar results at Walsall, where he created the Walsall Together integrated care partnership, which is now one of the most mature place-based partnerships in the country.

MMUH opened its doors for the first time in October, although the CEO raised concerns ahead of the move about funding and bed gaps.

The £1bn hospital suffered significant delays in its construction and opened six years later than planned, following the collapse of contractor Carillion in 2018.