New Chief Executive starts at Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust

Len Richards smiling at camera in Trust HQ

Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust is delighted to welcome newly appointed Chief Executive, Len Richards, to the organisation on his first day in post (Friday 1 October).

The appointment, which was announced earlier this year, follows previous incumbent Martin Barkley’s retirement after five years in the post and nearly 50 years’ service to the NHS.

Len joins the Trust from Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, where he had been Chief Executive since 2017. Having served on the boards of healthcare systems both in the UK and abroad, he brings with him over 30 years’ experience in the sector.

Beginning his career as a production engineer, he has gone on to be successful in a number of senior positions including his first Chief Executive post served at Wirral Hospitals NHS Trust in August 2006, where he oversaw the Trust’s move to ‘Foundation’ status. A four year spell in Australia followed working within the Australian healthcare system, before taking up his previous Chief Executive role for Cardiff and Vale University Health Board.

Len Richards said: “I’m delighted to finally get my tenure at the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals underway. The Trust has provided me with an exceptionally warm welcome, of which I’m hugely grateful and to be given the opportunity to lead the Trust at such a critical time is an honour.

“I’m incredibly keen to start meeting staff whose work over the last 18 months has been truly inspiring, and begin working alongside colleagues to build on the positive progress the Trust has made in the last five years.

“As staff continue to deal with the significant pressures that the current climate brings, I look forward to leading a workforce that is clearly committed and dedicated to meeting those challenges and providing excellent patient experiences.”

Keith Ramsay, Chair of the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, who welcomed Len to the Trust on his first day said: “We are extremely pleased to welcome Len to the Trust on his first day, and we all look forward to a future under his leadership.

“Like all other Trusts across the country, the pressures brought about by the COVID pandemic continue to stretch and challenge us all. However, with the great work already in place and the wealth of experience Len brings I’m extremely excited to see our ambitions taken forward, as we continue our focus on the recovery of services for our patients and on-going support for our staff.”