NHS Digital leader to chair trust

Laura Wade-Gery will take over from Tessa Green at Moorfields Eye Hospital Foundation Trust in spring 2023 after Ms Green steps down in December.

Ms Wade-Gery became NHSD chair in September 2020 and was tasked with leading a review into the NHS’s IT landscape after then health secretary Matt Hancock set up NHSX.

This review recommended NHS England should be made overall accountable for service transformation, while NHSD should be embedded into its tech function.

Ms Wade-Gery was previously a non-executive director at NHS Improvement and has held several senior business roles over the last two decades.

After serving as chief executive of Tesco.com for eight years, she left to join Marks and Spencer and head up its e-commerce division.

Ms Wade-Gery said: “I am honoured to be joining a world-renowned organisation and its truly exceptional staff.

“With the rollout of a new strategy for excellence under way, I am looking forward to playing my part in helping drive forward digital innovation to help Moorfields continue to deliver world-leading eye care.”

MEHFT chief executive Martin Kuper said: “I am certain that Laura’s expertise will ensure Moorfields advances at the very cutting edge of eyecare treatment, research and education. We look forward to welcoming Laura in April.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to Tessa Green, who will be missed terribly by all of us here at Moorfields.

“I would like to thank her personally for her support, and for her dedication and drive in helping to shape the legacy of Moorfields.”

Ms Green leaves after serving in the role for four years, having previously served as chair of the Royal Marsden FT and as a non-executive director at the then Royal Berkshire and Battle Hospitals Trust.

MEHFT vice-chair Ros Given-Wilson will serve as interim chair, the trust has confirmed.