Kevin McNamara to move to a new Chief Executive role

Kevin McNamara, Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s Chief Executive, will be leaving the Trust to join Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust as Chief Executive.

After four years as Chief Executive and 14 years in different leadership positions, Kevin has helped to reshape the Trust, from being a sole provider of hospital care, into a well-respected integrated healthcare provider. Through his guidance, determination and drive, strong partnerships have been developed in Swindon and Wiltshire, and the Trust has an active role in the wider health, social and voluntary care system.

Through the pandemic and some of the most challenging operational pressures the NHS has seen, Kevin has led the organisation with compassion and a desire through his work, to not only provide a high quality of healthcare, but to improve the life chances of local people.

He was instrumental in bringing radiotherapy to Swindon and during his leadership the Great Western Hospital has gained an impressive Urgent Treatment Centre and an ambitious programme of work to expand the Emergency Department has recently started. 

Kevin said: “I feel the same today as I did in 2009 when I first walked through the doors of the hospital, which is a huge sense of pride and deep privilege to be able to work at my local hospital and serve the people of Swindon and Wiltshire. 

“My children were born here and so it has always felt like a special place for me and my family. So, it’s with a sense of sadness I will be leaving because of the incredible people that work, not just in the Trust, but right across health and social care in Swindon making a huge difference to people’s lives. But I have absolutely no doubt that we have an incredible team that will continue making improvements to the care we provide and services we offer.”

Trust Chair, Liam Coleman, said: “I would like to thank Kevin for his excellent leadership, not least through the pandemic. His person-centred approach has transformed the culture of our organisation into a place where people are at the heart of our decisions, and everyone has a voice. He is leaving the Trust in a very positive place and has set the tone for how we do things here in Swindon well into the future.”

A recruitment process will begin in the coming weeks for a new chief executive.