13.02.19
Royal Free London NHS FT appoints new chief executive
The Royal Free London NHS FT (RFL) has announced the appointment of its new chief executive, with Caroline Clarke taking over the hospitals group.
Clarke takes over the top job at the major NHS teaching trust after seven years as its deputy chief executive having first joined the Royal Free Hospital in 1991 as a finance trainee.
The trust said she will begin her new role with immediate affect following the departure of Sir David Sloman – who left to become the joint NHS England and NHS Improvement London regional director in the group’s new merged format.
Clarke said: “I am delighted and honoured to have this chance to lead the RFL and to build on the amazing work that we do here.
“We have over 10,000 of the most committed, brilliant staff that I’ve ever had the privilege to work with. Together we have the opportunity to continue to make a huge difference to the communities and to the lives of the patients we serve.
“I am looking forward to working with our key partners and stakeholders to do just that.”
The RFL group is one of the NHS’s largest teaching trusts, and is made up of Barnet Hospital, Chase Farm Hospital, and the Royal Free Hospital, with an overall rating of ‘good’ from the CQC.
The trust has however been struggling with financial troubles despite a turnover of more than £1bn. Last year a fourth hospital was expected to join, but North Middlesex University Hospital Trust decided against doing so.
Dominic Dodd, chairman of the RFL welcomed the appointment and commented: “On behalf of the board, I am delighted that Caroline has agreed to become our new chief executive.
“We all look forward to working with her as she leads the RFL into the next chapter in its history.”
He added: “It is a huge complement to our staff that we were able to attract and choose between a strong field of candidates.”