Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) has appointed Nicola Ayton as its new Chief Executive, following a competitive recruitment process and approval by the Trust’s Council of Governors.
Ayton has been serving as Interim Chief Executive since 1 January 2026, and will now take on the role permanently as she leads the organisation through its next phase of development.
Nicola Ayton stepped into the interim Chief Executive position at the start of 2026, providing continuity of leadership during a key period for the Trust.
Her formal appointment follows a competitive selection process, including an interview panel and final approval by the Council of Governors.
Leaders said the decision reflects confidence in her track record, leadership capability and understanding of the organisation.
Ayton joined Cambridge University Hospitals in 2018 and has since held several senior roles, including Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director of Strategy and Major Projects.
In these positions, she has led operational delivery, strategic planning, and major transformation programmes across the Trust.
Her experience combines both frontline NHS leadership and broader system‑wide policy development.
Before joining CUH, Nicola Ayton held senior roles in national government and NHS organisations, including:
- NHS England
- The Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit at No. 10 Downing Street
- HM Treasury
This background brings a strong understanding of policy, delivery, and financial management at both local and national levels – experience that is seen as particularly valuable in leading a large and complex teaching hospital trust.
Baroness Sally Morgan, Chair of Cambridge University Hospitals NHS FT, said:
“I am delighted that Nicola has been appointed. The panel was impressed by her combination of rigour and empathy, and her ability to focus on our short-term delivery needs, while also looking forward with a practical but broad ambition for the future. Our new strategy sets out our aim to be ‘excellent everyday.’ That is a big ambition, but I know Nicola will lead the Trust to make that real.”
Ayton herself added:
“I am delighted and proud to have been appointed as the substantive Chief Executive for Cambridge University Hospitals. I do not underestimate the significance of taking on this role for one of the country’s leading specialist teaching hospitals at this time.
“I will continue to work with colleagues and partners to achieve consistently excellent, timely care for our patients, to change care for the future, and to maximise the impact of world-class research and innovation for the populations we serve.
“The panel, Trust Board and stakeholders have placed their trust in me to lead Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie through our next chapter and I will repay that trust through the delivery of our collective ambitions.”
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK’s leading teaching trusts, providing specialist and general hospital services alongside a strong focus on research, innovation, and education.
As Chief Executive, Ayton will be responsible for overseeing:
- Operational performance and patient care
- Strategic development and major capital projects
- Relationships with academic and system partners
- Workforce leadership and organisational culture
Nicola Ayton’s permanent appointment as Chief Executive marks an important step for CUH as it continues to evolve as a leading teaching hospital trust. It also comes at a time when NHS organisations are balancing growing demand, workforce pressures, and the need for continued innovation.
With a combination of NHS, government, and operational experience, she is expected to play a central role in guiding the organisation through the next phase of its development – supporting patients, staff and the wider health system across Cambridge and beyond.
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