Former Blair aide to chair teaching trust

Cambridge University Hospitals Foundation Trust has appointed Labour peer and former top Number 10 adviser Baroness Sally Morgan as its next chair.

The baroness, who is currently deputy chair of Guy’s and St Thomas’ FT and previously advised then prime minister Tony Blair, will replace Mike More in January 2025.

Dr More will stand down in December 2024 after 11 years on the board as a non-executive director, the last eight of which were as chair.

Baroness Morgan was appointed following a competitive process, with the trust’s council of governors formally approving the appointment on 26 June.

She previously chaired the Royal Brompton and Harefield Trust for three years, before moving into her current role of deputy chair of GSTT in 2021. 

During Mr Blair’s time as prime minister, she served as both a prominent adviser and a minister, and there is speculation she may have a role in the current government’s health reform work.

he was made a life peer in 2001 and appointed as one of then prime minister Mr Blair’s key advisers, holding the roles of political secretary to the PM and of director of government relations in 10 Downing Street.

After her advisory roles at Number 10, she served as minister of state in the Cabinet Office.

The appointment of an influential Labour figure could enhance the trust’s efforts to persuade the new Labour administration to fund a major rebuild of the trust’s main site, Addenbrooke’s hospital. The trust is also building a specialist cancer and a specialist children’s hospital and developing its biomedical campus.

She has also been a board member of the Olympic Delivery Authority for the London 2012 Olympic Games and a board member of businesses and charities.

The former Ofsted chair also already has links to Cambridge, as she is Master of Fitzwilliam College at Cambridge University and sits on the University Council.

CUH CEO Roland Sinker said: “Sally’s extensive knowledge and experience across health and care and other sectors will be a huge asset to CUH.”

Baroness Morgan said: “I am very pleased to be taking up the role of chair in the new year.”

Dr More said: “It has been a great privilege to be chair of CUH and to work with our amazing staff and partners in service of our patient and communities, and I look forward to continuing to do so over the next six months ahead of Sally taking up post.”