Chief Executive appointment confirmed at NSFT | News and events

Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust has today announced that experienced NHS leader Caroline Donovan has been appointed as the Trust’s substantive Chief Executive Officer

Caroline joined the trust as interim Chief Executive in November 2023 to support the Trust’s improvement journey.

Caroline is a nurse by background and is passionate about improvement and transformation. Caroline previously worked as Chief Executive of Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust, a mental health and learning disability provider, where she spearheaded an inclusive and service user-centred approach and oversaw improvements in quality across the Trust. Before this, Caroline was Chief Executive at North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust, also a provider of mental health, primary care, social care, learning disability and substance misuse services. During her tenure as Chief Executive, the Trust significantly improved and was rated ‘Outstanding’ by the CQC.

Zoë Billingham, Chair, Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, said: “ I am delighted to confirm the substantive appointment of Caroline Donovan as Chief Executive Officer of Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT).

“Caroline joined our Trust in November 2023 to support our improvement journey. We have made excellent progress under Caroline’s leadership in the last year and were delighted when she decided to apply for the substantive role. We have previously announced that Caroline was staying with us until the summer of 2025, but today, following a rigorous recruitment process, I am so pleased to confirm that Caroline will now be joining our Trust as our Chief Executive on a substantive basis.

“This is really excellent news for our staff, partners and service users, carers, families and communities that we serve every day, and for our c5,000 staff. Alongside our Trust Board, Caroline will continue to provide our Trust with the expertise and consistency of leadership that has been much-needed here at NSFT for many years. Caroline has set a clear direction for our Trust, and we have already made many improvements, but we are very clear there is much more for us to deliver. I am delighted that Caroline will now oversee this continuing journey of transformation.”

Chief Executive Caroline Donovan said: “I am absolutely delighted to accept the substantive CEO role for NSFT. I feel privileged to work alongside so many talented staff and partners. I am highly committed to continuing our improvement journey working with our staff, service users, carers and partners to design and deliver high quality services for the communities of Norfolk and Suffolk. It is vital that service users, carers, families and the wider community are at the heart of our improvement plans, and we are acting on what they tell us. We are making good progress and are building the foundations for sustainable improvement. I am very excited about continuing to lead NSFT, ensuring the people who use our services, and our staff are at the very heart of everything we do.”

Caroline continued: “Building trust and maintaining humility is essential for us, recognising we are on a journey of improvement, and there is still so much more to be done. We are building a strong and capable leadership team across our executive and locality teams, so that we can continue to deliver safer, kinder and better services for the future. I am really looking forward to continuing to work with all our teams, and with our local partners, to improve mental health services for everyone across Norfolk and Suffolk.”  

Ed Garratt, Chief Executive of Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board and Integrated Care System, said: “I strongly welcome the appointment of Caroline as Chief Executive of NSFT.  She has been in the temporary position for the past year and during that time has brought about significant change and real improvement.  Caroline has huge experience, drive and determination which is crucial for the trust, for the health and care system but most importantly for the patients we serve.  I look forward to continuing working closely with her.”  

Tracey Bleakley, Chief Executive of NHS Norfolk and Waveney, said “Caroline has already had a positive impact on mental health services in Norfolk and Suffolk, as well as on the way that the mental health trust works with partner organisations. She cares deeply about improving the care that local people receive and is committed to working with service users and carers to achieve this. I look forward to continuing to work with her in the months and years ahead.”