Appointing a Joint Chief Executive (CEO)

Building on our existing strategic partnership, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust have agreed to appoint a Joint Chief Executive Officer to further strengthen our existing partnership and importantly ensure both Trusts continue to deliver high quality care.

We are pleased to announce that Lesley Watts has been appointed as the Joint Chief Executive of both Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and will take up the joint post on 13 January 2025.

The new leadership model, with a Joint Chief Executive overseeing both organisations, aims to increase joined-up decision making for local people, improve care, share best practice and expertise and make better use of NHS resources.

The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Chief Executive, Patricia Wright, will stand down from her role as Chief Executive on 13 January and will continue in the Trust until the end of January to support Lesley and ensure a smooth handover.

Matthew Swindells, Chair of the NWL Acute Provider Collaborative, said:

“I want to sincerely thank Patricia for her contribution to patients and staff of The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust over the last four years. Her leadership has been pivotal to securing a longer term future for the people and staff of Hillingdon including the plans to redevelop the new hospital for Hillingdon. 

"Patricia has led with determination, compassion and resilience through the most challenging times for the organisation. I am pleased that she will not be leaving the NHS and will continue to contribute to the wider NHS for the foreseeable future.

“The appointment of a Joint Chief Executive is a crucial step towards ensuring the sustainability of both Trusts, which serve a population of over 1.5 million people. Throughout her career, Lesley has delivered a relentless focus on performance and high quality care driven by the needs of patients.

"In spite of the very real challenges facing the NHS, I have no doubt that Lesley will ably lead both organisations. I look forward to seeing both organisations going from strength to strength, working together closely to deliver the best possible care for patients in North West London.”

Lesley Watts will start in the Joint Chief Executive role with effect from 13 January 2025.