New chief executive of Peterborough City Hospital trust begins role

Caroline Walker, who was deputy chief executive/finance director for the North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust, succeeds Stephen Graves, who retired from the NHS on September 30.

Trust chairman Rob Hughes said: “Caroline’s service to our organisation has been exemplary, particularly her work to support the merger of our hospitals. I know I speak on behalf of the whole trust board when I say we are looking forward to working with her.

“She has already begun her induction in to the role following a period of handover with Stephen. She will also be going ‘Back to the Floor’ to remind herself of the daily challenges faced by our staff across the organisation as part of her ongoing induction programme in the coming weeks.”

Caroline began working for Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals Trust in April 2013 when she joined as finance director and led the work to merge the trust with Hinchingbrooke Health Care NHS Trust, which culminated in April 2017 when North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust began operation.

Her career in finance within the NHS dates back to 1982 and has seen her work at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Great Ormond Street Hospital, Barts and the London NHS Trust. She has also been chief operating officer at Loughborough University.

Caroline said: “I am delighted and proud to be taking up this role. I am looking forward to the opportunity to continue talking with as many staff as possible across all the sites we run over the coming weeks.

“It is hugely valuable to remind myself of the challenges our staff face daily in all aspects of the running of our hospitals.”