Suzanne Rankin, Chief Executive of Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has announced she is to leave the Trust in January to take on the role as Chief Executive of Cardiff and Vale University Health Board (CVUHB).
Announcing her departure, Chairman Andy Field said: “It is with a mix of emotions that I announce that Suzanne has been successfully appointed as the new Chief Executive of CVUHB. I am delighted for Suzanne as this is a fantastic role with a wider reach and expanded responsibilities. Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is one of the largest NHS organisations in Europe, employing approximately 14,500 staff. They have a £1.4 billion budget, providing health and wellbeing services to a population of around 472,400 people living in Cardiff, the Vale of Glamorgan, with a range of specialties across South and Mid Wales.
“Whilst this is a great opportunity for Suzanne, I know that we will all be very sad to see her leave and it is a huge loss for ASPH. Suzanne has been a truly outstanding Chief Executive for seven years and I have been privileged to work with her as Chairman for the past four years. During her tenure, Suzanne has spearheaded our ambitious Together we Care strategy, led Team ASPH through many challenges and championed and successfully implemented transformation at scale. There are so many highlights it is impossible to mention them all, but two areas that really stand out for me are her focus on both collaboration and the health and wellbeing of Team ASPH, recognising the vital importance of looking after the team so they can in turn provide the best possible care for patients.
“Suzanne has led ASPH through many successful collaborations including: Well North and our anchor institution work; becoming a gold standard partner within the Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care System and establishing the NW Surrey Alliance with its focus on addressing the wider determinants of health and wellbeing and building community relationships and resilience. Suzanne has also been a prime mover in the Surrey Safe Care and GIRFT programmes, each of these dedicated to improving patient care and outcomes. She has also spearheaded many estates improvements, helping to make ASPH a great place to work, including the Abbey Birth Centre, the new urgent and emergency care facilities at St Peter’s, nursery at Ashford and the soon to be opening ASPH wellbeing centres.
Suzanne has reflected, “It’s been an honour and a privilege to work alongside my colleagues at Ashford and St Peter’s who have supported my growth and development as leader, lifted my spirits in tough times and made me proud and humble to be a member of Team ASPH each and every day.
“Building on the depth and breadth of experience I have had I’m delighted to be able to take my next career step with my appointment to CVUHB. I’m inspired by the Health Board’s strategy and excited by the opportunity to build relationships and opportunities with new colleagues and new partners and to continue the great work already underway to care for the people of Cardiff and Vale and work with them and others to keep them well.”
Andy adds: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Suzanne for everything she has done for Ashford and St Peter’s and to wish her well in this new role.”
