Our new chief executive
New chief executive Rob Webster
South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust’s new chief executive has taken up his post today, 16 May 2016.
Rob Webster is now responsible for leading the organisation and its 4700 staff. Rob joins the Trust from the NHS Confederation, where he was chief executive for over two years.
South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust provides a range of community, mental health and learning disability services to 1.2 million people in Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. The organisation also provides specialist medium secure services to the whole of Yorkshire and the Humber.
Trust chairman Ian Black said: “I am very happy to welcome Rob to our Trust. Like all our health and social care partners, we are facing difficult times. I am confident that Rob can help shape the context we are facing and make sure our organisation continues to thrive and move forward.
“Rob is renowned for his values-based leadership which makes him the perfect fit for us. We are passionate about our values, and I know that Rob not only shares this passion but also our values.”
Rob Webster commented: “I have frequently said that being a chief executive in the NHS is one of the best jobs in the country. I am delighted to be returning to the heart of Yorkshire to an organisation that exists to enable people to reach their potential and live well in their community.
“These are tough times for the NHS and I look forward to working with my new colleagues and our partner organisations as we look to build on the excellent work of this Trust. In doing so, I strongly believe that living our values will be important.
“People who use our services, their carers and the general public quite rightly have high expectations of the NHS. We in turn are passionate about providing excellent care, with all of us in mind.”
Rob has worked in healthcare since 1990. Alongside his most recent role as chief executive of the NHS Confederation he has also held national roles at the Department of Health on policy, transformation and delivery. He has been a director for both the Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit in the Cabinet Office and a national public/private partnership.
Rob also spent seven years as a successful chief executive in the NHS in West Yorkshire, running a commissioning organisation (NHS Calderdale) and a provider organisation (Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust). He has been a trustee at Leeds Mencap and has chaired formal national networks including cancer, primary care, community services and learning disabilities.
As well as leading the Trust, Rob is leading the work of the West Yorkshire sustainability and transformation plan (STP). This sees him bringing together West Yorkshire health and care leaders, organisations and communities to develop local plans for improved health, care and finances over the next five years.
Rob has a history of effective partnership working and a strong commitment to system leadership. He is a visiting professor at the school of health and care at Leeds Beckett University and an honorary fellow of both the Queen’s Nursing Institute and the Royal College of GPs. He is also a fellow of the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce.
Rob lives in Leeds with his wife and two and children.