Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has announced the appointment of Mark Axcell as its new Chief Executive, following an extensive search to identify a leader capable of guiding the organisation through its next chapter.
The appointment was confirmed by Tom Cahill CBE, Trust Chair, who praised Axcell’s strong track record as a senior mental health and Integrated Care Board chief executive in the West Midlands.
Cahill said:
“I'm delighted we have made such a strong appointment. Mark is a highly experienced NHS Chief Executive with over ten years' experience as a Chief Executive leading large, complex mental health, learning disability, community, and system organisations.
“The Board wanted to appoint an inspirational leader who would guide it through the next phase of our journey and support the delivery of our ambition to provide the very best possible care to the people who need it. I am confident we have found that person and I look forward to working with him.”
Axcell will formally join the Trust’s senior leadership team in June 2026.
Axcell’s arrival follows the planned retirement of current Chief Executive Ifti Majid, who announced in December 2025 that he would step down after 42 years in the NHS and three years leading Nottinghamshire Healthcare.
Majid delayed his retirement so he could support the Trust and its staff through the oral hearings phase of the Nottingham Inquiry, due to conclude in June. The Trust expressed gratitude for Majid’s leadership during a period of intense scrutiny and significant operational pressures.
Axcell is expected to bring extensive mental health, operational and system‑leadership experience to the role at a pivotal time for the organisation. His appointment aligns with the Trust’s priorities to:
- Strengthen leadership stability
- Maintain momentum on quality improvement
- Support staff through a period of change and recovery
- Deliver consistently high-quality mental health, community and forensic services
Commenting on his new role, Axcell said:
“I'm really pleased to be joining the Trust at this critical time. I look forward to working with staff, partners and our communities to continue to improve our services. Having spent much of my career leading mental health and community organisations, I understand both the scale of the task and the importance of getting it right for patients and staff.”
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