Chief Executive Lesley Watts awarded CBE in His Majesty the King’s New Year Honours

We’re delighted to announce that Lesley Watts, Chief Executive of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, has been awarded a CBE (Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) in His Majesty the King’s New Year Honours list for her service to the NHS. 

Lesley, a proud nurse and midwife, has served in the NHS her entire working life. She has had a long and distinguished career and has led the Trust since September 2015, when Chelsea and Westminster Hospital merged with West Middlesex University Hospital. Under her leadership, the Trust was awarded a CQC rating of Outstanding for being well-led, and for its excellent use of resources. She has been instrumental in the Trust being recognised nationally for outstanding operational performance and digital innovation that is now supporting the wider health and care service. 

She was also Chief Executive of the North West London Integrated Care System (ICS) until November 2021 and, through the COVID-19 response, led one of the most successful roll-outs of the vaccination programme, delivering nearly five million vaccinations. Her determination and commitment to deliver equitable healthcare for all has supported wider work on health inequalities in the capital, building even stronger relationships with local authorities and third sector partners.   

Lesley was previously Chief Executive for East and North Hertfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group. She is a UNICEF Baby Friendly Guardian and the SRO for the national discharge programme to ensure patients are in the best possible setting for their recovery.  

On the news of the award, Lesley said: “I’m absolutely delighted to receive this recognition but I accept it on behalf of all colleagues working with compassion and commitment from Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and the wider NHS in North West London. It is their effort and hard work that should really be honoured and I salute them for the outstanding care they provide to the North West London community each and every day.” 

Matthew Swindells, Joint Chair of North West London Acute Collaborative, said: “Lesley epitomises the best of NHS values, committing her career to creating the best possible care for patients and staff. It is a privilege and a lot of fun to work alongside her.”