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East Kent Hospitals appoint a new Chief Executive

The Trust is pleased to announce that Matthew Kershaw has been appointed as the new substantive Chief Executive of East Kent Hospitals University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The appointment was made following open competition and a national and international search.

Currently Chief Executive at Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals, Matthew has significant NHS leadership experience and excellent knowledge of local healthcare needs having held the position of Chief Operating Officer at East Kent Hospitals between 2006 and 2008. 

Matthew brings extensive and varied experience from across the NHS, both locally and nationally. He has held senior positions at the Department of Health, Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust, South London Healthcare NHS Trust and Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust.

In addition Matthew was recently asked to chair the local Clinical Research Network, is a Trustee of the NHS Confederation and a member of the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Academic Health Science Network and Health Education England boards.

Trust Chair Nikki Cole, said: “I am delighted that Matthew will be returning to East Kent in this leadership role. He brings a wealth of ideas and experience from a career across the NHS. I look forward to working closely with him as we lead innovation, change and build on the improvements we have already made to improve care and treatment for the patients who rely on us.”

Matthew Kershaw said: “I am delighted to accept the position as Chief Executive at East Kent Hospitals and I look forward to working with staff, patients and other stakeholders to further progress the Trust’s work to deliver excellent hospital services for local people.”

East Kent Hospitals Trust Chair, Nikki Cole will work with all the relevant parties to establish a start date and handover plans.