Trust confirms new CEO after six-month wait

Ify Okocha has been appointed chief executive of Oxleas Foundation Trust, after six months as an interim.

Dr Okocha had previously been the trust’s medical director and deputy chief executive. His predecessor Matthew Trainer joined Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospital Trust as its new CEO in August.

Oxleas provides mental and community health services to south east London. It is part of the pioneering south London mental health collaborative which also includes South London and Maudsley Foundation Trust, South West London and St George’s Mental Health Trust.

A psychiatrist by training, Dr Okocha has worked at the trust for 25 years, becoming medical director in 2009. He was acting CEO for five months last year, during the time Mr Trainer was deputy chief of the London Nightingale Hospital.

Dr Okocha said: “I am really excited to be taking up this role to serve Oxleas. I want to make a real difference to our service users and to help our staff flourish. This is a great opportunity to work with partners to improve the wellbeing of people living in south east London.”