The King’s Fund has announced the appointment of Sarah Woolnough, current chief executive of Asthma + Lung UK, as their new chief executive.
Sarah will take over from Richard Murray, who is set to step down in November of 2023. This will be the latest addition to her portfolio of senior leadership positions, which have included roles with national charities, the civil service, and parliament.
Commenting on her appointment, Sarah said: “I am delighted to be taking over as chief executive of The King’s Fund. It will be a critical time to lead The King’s Fund, as health and care services, and the people who rely on them, face challenges on multiple fronts. But alongside the many challenges, there are significant opportunities to shape the national debate on the future of health and social care and to bring about improvements to services.”
She added that The King’s Fund has a “vital role to play in providing independent, authoritative policy analysis, supporting leaders in the system, and bringing people together to find sustainable solutions to the biggest challenges facing health and care.”
Professor Lord Kakkar, chair of The King’s Fund’s board of trustees, said: “I am confident that under Sarah, The King’s Fund will make further strides towards its vision that the best possible health and care is available to all. Our thanks go to Richard Murray for his outstanding leadership of the organisation since 2019, and he leaves the organisation in a strong position to continue its mission.”
In other leadership news, King’s College Hospital NHS FT has appointed a new interim site chief executive, Angela Helleur, who will take on the role from September 2023.
Looking to recruitment, Professor Claire Fuller, Surrey Heartlands Health and Care Partnership’s chief executive, has been offered the position of national medical director for primary care with NHS England, following six years with Surrey Heartlands.
