Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust has announced a series of Board and executive leadership changes as several long‑serving members reach the end of their tenures. The Trust says the transition plans are designed to ensure continuity, stability and strong leadership as it moves into the next phase of its five‑year strategy.
Dr Jackie Craissati, appointed as Trust Chair in 2021, will step down later this year. Although her term was due to end earlier, it was extended to June 2026 to support a smooth handover. Recruitment for a new Chair is already underway.
Several other Board changes follow:
- Peter Conway, Non‑Executive Director and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee, will leave on 31 March 2026. A new NED is expected to take up post on 1 April 2026.
- Dr Mary Ann Ferreux will also leave the Trust at the end of March. Recruitment for a Clinical NED is in progress.
- Kim Lowe, Chair of the People Committee, has been granted an NHS England‑approved extension until October 2027, enabling continued collaboration with Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust, where she also serves on the Board.
- Further changes will occur at the end of July 2026, when Sean Bone Knell (Chair of the Mental Health Act and Charitable Funds Committees) and Mickola Wilson (Chair of the Finance, Business and Investment Committee) conclude their tenures.
Within the executive team, Chief People Officer Sandra Goatley will retire on 10 April. Her successor will join on a 12‑month fixed term from 23 March, ensuring a full handover. Following Andy Cruikshank’s secondment in January as Chief Nurse to the neighbourhood team in Kent and Medway, Julie Kirby has been appointed Interim Chief Nurse until the role is advertised substantively later in the year.
Further appointments have been confirmed to support delivery of KMPT’s five‑year strategy. These include:
- Kindra Hyttner, Director of Communications and Engagement, will now also lead on strategy.
- A new fixed‑term Director of Programme Delivery will be appointed to oversee four major Trust‑wide programmes, including delivery of the quality plan and transformation of community services aligned with integrated neighbourhood health models.
The trust highlighted substantial achievements during the tenure of its outgoing leadership, including achieving financial balance during a period of national uncertainty, reducing waiting times in community services despite rapidly rising referrals, as well as significant improvements in dementia diagnosis, moving from one of the poorest‑performing to one of the best performing Trusts nationally.
Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust Chief Executive, Sheila Stenson, said:
“This is a significant moment for our trust, and I want to begin by thanking Dr Jackie Craissati and departing non-executive and executive members for their leadership, dedication and committed support over the years. Their commitment has helped guide us through a period of rising demand, increasing complexity and national pressure, while still enabling us to deliver real improvements for the people we serve.
“These are not small achievements. They reflect meaningful progress across our services, and I want to reassure patients, partners and staff that we have strong plans in place to ensure continuity and the smooth running of the trust throughout this transition. Our focus remains firmly on delivering safe, compassionate care every day.”
With new strategic roles, strengthened governance and carefully phased transitions, the Trust aims to ensure stability while continuing to innovate and improve mental health care across Kent and Medway.
Image credit: iStock
