‘Torch bearer for values’ made trust CEO

A specialist trust has appointed a new CEO after its previous leader left to become the national emergency care chief.

Matt Boazman has been appointed the new chief executive of Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Foundation Trust. He has held the role on an interim since the beginning of 2023 when Sarah-Jane Marsh left to become NHS England’s national director of urgent and emergency care and deputy COO.

Mr Boazman joined the NHS in 2002 via the graduate management training scheme. He became a general manager at Whittington Hospital Trust in 2004, rising to become becoming operations director during its merger to become Whittington Health.

He joined BWC in 2013 as director of strategy and planning before becoming chief strategy officer for innovation in 2015.

Sir Bruce Keogh, BWC’s chair, said: “Matt’s appointment, which follows an extensive competitive process that included a strong field of applicants, signals a new chapter for BWC.

“Matt is known to many colleagues right across our Trust after dedicating the last decade to the organisation. He is a torch bearer for our values, as well as being a strong advocate for research, education and innovation; all of which are key to providing high quality patient care.”

Mr Boazman added: “I feel deeply honoured to lead this wonderful organisation as its chief executive.

“I remain committed to our values of being ambitious, brave and compassionate and plan to give my personal energy and focus to leading my wonderful colleagues on the exciting next stages of our BWC journey.”

Mr Boazman’s role becomes substantive at a challenging time for the trust. Earlier this year, its overall Care Quality Commission rating was downgraded from “good” to “requires improvement”.

BWC’s child and adolescent mental health service, Forward Thinking Birmingham, was rated “inadequate” with inspectors warning of nursing staff shortages and vulnerable children falling through the cracks.