Barts Health NHS Trust and Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust are delighted to announce that Shane DeGaris will be the first Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) leading the two organisations.

A former CEO of Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Shane has been deputy CEO at Barts Health for the last four years, leading on the operational performance of the five-strong hospital group.

He will take over in August when Dame Alwen Williams formally steps down as both CEO of Barts Health and single accountable officer for the collaboration with BHRUT.

Jacqui Smith, chair in common of the two trusts, said: “Shane’s appointment as the new Group CEO across the two organisations will provide stable and effective leadership for both at this crucial time.

“We already have strong local leadership through the hospital CEOs at Barts Health, and a permanent trust CEO at BHRUT. They will be accountable for maintaining robust links with our communities and partners so together we provide the best possible care for our patients.

“With Shane, I look forward to developing the collaboration between the two trusts. By working effectively together with a shared purpose, we can address unwarranted variation and inequality in access, experience and outcomes across our population.

“We will be good partners working with others in north east London to provide the best care and to tackle health inequalities. And we’ll be a powerful voice regionally and nationally in arguing for appropriate resources”.

Shane was a physiotherapist in his native Australia before entering NHS management in the UK, where he obtained a MSc in improvement methodology. He was part of the NHS London Next Generation Chief Executive programme and held several executive director posts across London trusts.

He said: “I am honoured and excited to take on this challenge. Colleagues in both bodies know me as a values-based leader and a ‘people person’ who focuses on the needs of our staff and patients. I am committed to continuing our collaboration in a way that brings our people with us and uses our combined resources to address inequalities. Together we want to - and can - be the best for our communities.”

The new Group CEO role was advertised in March and attracted international interest. The appointment followed an open competition, including an assessment by a stakeholder panel representing staff of both organisations and NHS partners.

The Boards of the two trusts are meeting informally for the first time this week to review progress with the collaboration so far and agree priorities for the coming year.