Trust names ‘inspiration’ former receptionist as CEO

Homerton Healthcare Foundation Trust has promoted Bas Sadiq, who joined the NHS as an outpatient receptionist 20 years ago, to chief executive.

Bas Sadiq will replace Louise Ashley, who is retiring after 18 months in the top job at the East London provider of acute and community services. Ms Sadiq has also been appointed as the place-based leader for City and Hackney Health and Care Partnership.

Homerton University Hospital is rated “outstanding” by the Care Quality Commission, although the wider trust is rated “good”.

Ms Sadiq has been in the NHS for 20 years and started her career as an outpatient receptionist in 2004 at nearby Whipps Cross Hospital. She has worked in every acute trust in north east London, she said. 

She was the chief improvement and strategy officer at Dartford and Gravesham Trust and joined Homerton last spring. She has held senior operational roles in both acute and community trusts.

Homerton chair Sir John Gieve said in a statement: “In her interviews, Bas impressed everyone with her strong and compassionate leadership style and her positive vision for Homerton Healthcare, for improving population health and reducing inequalities in City and Hackney, and for playing a positive and collaborative role in north east London more widely.

“In our very diverse organisation and area, her journey from outpatient receptionist in Whipps Cross Hospital to CEO should be an inspiration to all our staff and to anyone considering a career in the NHS.”

Last month, the two larger acute trusts in the north east London system – Barts Health and Barking, Havering and Redbridge – said they were pausing a move to a joint executive team, and instead focusing on their acute provider collaborative, which also includes Homerton FT, and is chaired by Sir John.

Ms Sadiq said: “Having grown up in Haringey and worked in every acute trust in north east London, my roots run deep in this part of the capital. This connection has instilled in me a profound appreciation for the communities we serve.”