New acting CEO and chair for trust

An East Midlands trust has announced it has both a new acting chair and chief executive.

Sherwood Forest Hospitals Foundation Trust confirmed in a statement that, as of yesterday, chief executive Paul Robinson would be taking planned sick leave over the summer. He has been Sherwood’s CEO for two years. 

The trust’s medical director David Selwyn will be acting chief executive during this time, while Dr Selwyn’s deputy Simon Roe will be acting medical director.

Meanwhile, vice chair Graham Ward has been appointed as the trust’s acting chair for the next 12 months, starting immediately. He replaces Claire Ward, who has stood down after being elected as the first mayor of the East Midlands earlier this month. 

Ms Ward was the trust’s chair from 2021, having served on its board for 11 years. In addition to being a qualified solicitor, Ms Ward was also previously Labour MP for Watford for 13 years, during which time she was justice minister. 

Ms Ward said: “While I am really excited to take on this new challenge as mayor and to get started to make our region a better place, I am sad that my time here at Sherwood is coming to an end.

“When I joined Sherwood in 2013, it was a very different place: we were placed into special measures and had a constant revolving door of interim directors and staff. 

“But together with the commitment and hard work of our colleagues and partners we changed that…

“I know I leave the trust in the safe hands of Graham and the rest of the executive team, who I know our colleagues and partners will continue to give their full support to.”