New Chief Operating Officer appointed

Dear Colleague

Following a recent recruitment process, I am delighted to be able to tell you that Chinyama Okunuga has accepted the role of Chief Operating Officer at Whittington Health.

Chin is expected to join us in September from East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust. She has previously held roles in operational management at the North Middlesex and at Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Trust before taking on the role of Deputy Chief Operating Officer and then Managing Director at East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust.

Chin’s strength of vision and her values, coupled with her experience of the North Central London region from her previous roles, impressed the appointment panel greatly. Chin had these words to share with you:

“Coming to Whittington Health is a great opportunity to work as part of a truly integrated care organisation. I am particularly looking forward to getting up to speed with community services to enhance the patient pathways throughout the organisation.

“On a personal note, this is like coming home for me as I had my children at Whittington Hospital over 20 years ago and spent my formative years in operational management at the North Middlesex, so I have some knowledge of the North Central London region. I am looking forward to getting to know Whittington Health and everyone who works there.”

As you know, Chin will be taking over as Chief Operating Officer from Carol Gillen, who has held the role of COO for the last six years. Carol will be retiring at the end of July and Dale-Charlotte Moore, who has acted up into the role of COO while Carol temporarily took on the post of Chief Executive, will be the Acting Chief Operating Officer until Chin arrives to take up her new post.

This announcement means that, after three successful appointments, our new Executive Team will be complete. We have already bid farewell to Siobhan and will be saying goodbye and good luck to Michelle and Carol over the next couple of months, but it is fantastic news that all three roles have been swiftly filled with such strong candidates, who will all play a role in continuing to guide Whittington Health from strength to strength.

Thank you for everything you continue to do.

Julia