Sarah has been in the NHS for over 30 years, and Chief Executive of the South West London system for 8 years.
Speaking about her retirement, Sarah said: “I have enjoyed my time at South West London immensely and would like to thank everyone at the ICB, as well as our wider partners, for all their energy, enthusiasm and good humour over the past 8 years.
“It has always been my plan to retire early, I have been working since I left school at 15 and I have never had a real break: I’m keen to give that a try!
“I will be leaving in March 2025, ensuring there is enough time for the Chair and NHSE to recruit a new Chief Executive to lead the system and continue the good progress we have made.
“My focus until March will be to continue the work with our staff to ensure SWL is a great place to work, make sure our system continues to keep the momentum around the progress of our financial recovery plan, supporting and improving the performance of our NHS services, driving down health inequalities, and ensuring our strong culture of collaboration and partnership working continues into the future.”
Mike Bell, Chair of NHS South West London said: “Sarah is an experienced and long-serving Chief Executive, I know we will all miss her wisdom and energy. Under Sarah’s leadership for the past 8 years SW London has delivered better joined-up services for local people, and become a more collaborative system, with strong structures and relationships at Place and with our Trusts, councils and other partners.
“Sarah has led SW London into a good position where we can now look forward with optimism at this next Chapter for our system, with a new Government’s focus and ambition for the NHS. I know you will join me in wishing Sarah well in her retirement as she takes a well-deserved break from the intense pace of the last 30 years in the NHS!”
Caroline Clarke, Regional Director for NHS England London said: “Sarah has led the delivery of many excellent services for local people in SW London over the past 8 years, with some of the best planned care, cancer care and primary care in the country. Sarah has also supported us at London level, as a valued member of the London Regional Team, and in leading the Joint Committee of Specialist Services and the journey to delegation to ICBs.
“When Sarah leaves us in March 2025, her legacy will be the strong culture of collaborative leadership across the NHS in SW London and the wider system, all of which has focused on delivering joined-up services for local people. I wish her well for her well-deserved retirement.”