Royal Sussex’s chief exec steps down

The chief executive of the trust which runs Brighton’s Royal Sussex County Hospital has announced he will be leaving at Christmas to move to Kent.

Matthew Kershaw, who has been chief executive of the Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals for three years, says his time there has been the most challenging and rewarding of career.

While the search for a successor takes place, deputy chief executive Amanda Fadero will take charge.

Mr Kershaw said: “I am really looking forward to the new challenge and opportunities but it is with very mixed emotions that I am leaving BSUH.

“The past three years have been both the most challenging and the most rewarding of my career and in that relatively short time we have achieved such a great deal.

“After more than a decade in the planning we achieved the relocation of neurosurgery from Hurstwood Park to the Royal Sussex County Hospital. Last month we secured formal approval of the Final Business Case for the 3Ts redevelopment of the Royal Sussex County Hospital.

“I am also very proud of our Values and Behaviours programme which is the biggest investment in staff engagement and cultural change that the Trust has ever made.

“Of course it has also been a very challenging time, for BSUH and across the NHS as a whole, and I am disappointed to be leaving at a time when we are, I believe, on the brink of emerging into a period of recovery and stability.

“BSUH is a team made up of thousands of extraordinary, talented and brilliant people who it has been an absolute pleasure to work with and alongside and I will miss everyone very much.”

Chair of BSUH Julian Lee said: “Matthew’s commitment to BSUH during his time as chief executive has been unwavering and resolute and I want to thank him for working as hard as he has, for steering us through a very difficult and challenging time and for leading on the delivery of some significant achievements; not least the formal approval of the Final Business Case for the £480 million redevelopment of the Royal Sussex County Hospital.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to wish him well in his new role as chief executive of East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust.

“Following Matthew’s departure our deputy chief executive Amanda Fadero will act as interim chief executive whilst the board and Trust Development Authority undertake a full recruitment process for a substantive successor.

“We are extremely fortunate to have someone of Amanda’s experience and integrity to take over the leadership of the organisation at such a crucial time.”