New Chief Executive for St George’s
David Astley, the founding Chief Executive of the East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust, has been announced as the new Chief Executive of St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
In 1999 David and his team brought together three Hospital Trusts from Ashford, Margate and Canterbury and combined them into one of the largest Acute Trusts in England with 8000 staff, five hospitals and a number of community based services.
Now after seven years at East Kent Hospitals, during which time he led the reform of A&Es and a reconfiguration of services, which saw investment of almost ?40 million on new buildings and equipment, he is joining the team here at St George’s.
Naaz Coker, Chair of St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said “David fought off stiff competition for the top job at St George’s and really impressed the panel, which included a patient representative. He is an excellent and inspirational Chief Executive and leader, who offers us commitment, hard work and a considerable amount of talent.”
David Astley said of his new appointment: “I am very much looking forward to joining one of the biggest and best teaching hospitals in London, with a formidable reputation both locally and nationally.
“St George’s has some challenges financially that we are working to overcome, but I am confident that with such an experienced executive team, and staff that are so determined to provide quality care for their patients, we’ll be able to put our finances back in order and continue to improve our services.”
David has worked for the NHS for 32 years and currently lives in Kent with his wife Denise, a medical secretary, and three teenage children.
David will join the St George’s team at the beginning of December.
Notes to editors
- For more information please call the press office on 020 8725 5151 or email maria.vidal@stgeorges.nhs.uk
