Angela Hillery, chief executive of Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT) has begun her transition to taking on the role of shared chief executive across NHFT and Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (LPT). Her appointment was announced in May 2019.

Cathy Ellis, Chair of LPT, welcomes Angela: “I am pleased to announce that our new chief executive Angela Hillery has begun her transition into LPT. This is to enable Angela to have a smooth handover and introduction from Dr Peter Miller before he retires as LPT’s CEO this month. Angela will take on accountability as our new chief executive from 15 July and is fully focused on achieving the best for both Trusts.

Angela comes with an impressive track record and her appointment is a positive step in our improvement journey. Her focus is on ensuring this shared role is a positive experience for all and moving towards improvements in our CQC ratings.

To be clear, this is not a precursor to a merger between our Trusts, but a focus on improving care for patients and service users. Angela brings significant and relevant experience in moving integrated mental health and community health trusts forward. This is an exciting opportunity for everyone across both Trusts; from staff, the communities we serve, to all our many stakeholders.”

Angela’s shared chief executive role for LPT and NHFT follows in the footsteps of several other Trusts in the country who have a shared chief executive, including three trusts in South Warwickshire, three trusts in Essex, and Colchester and Ipswich.

Angela shared her commitment to LPT with a message to all staff: “This is a very exciting time for me as I get to know more about your Trust, your priorities and hopes for the future. Over the next few weeks I will be taking the chance to visit with staff and patients to get to know you and understand what matters to you.

For me, the root of any success has always been about teamwork and empowerment and I will be ensuring that we have a strong and aligned team in each organisation and good networks between us. The feedback and experiences of all involved in both Trusts will remain central to our planning. We are all clear that this is about moving forward together to ensure each Trust continues to grow and develop in a positive way.

I am focused on a positive journey for all, getting to know you and your teams and working with you all to build on your strengths.

I am proud to have the opportunity to be part of your team and look forward to working with you all in the future.”

Angela Hillery has worked in the NHS for over 30 years. She has held a variety of leadership positions during this time and has been chief executive of NHFT since 2013. Angela has a clinical background as a speech and language therapist and has served on the national management board of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapy. During her time as chief executive, NHFT has gone from a ‘Requires Improvement’ CQC rating in 2015 to an ‘Outstanding’ rating in 2018, and she was named in the HSJ top 50 NHS chief executives in the country in 2018 and 2019. NHFT also won the HSJ Trust of the Year in 2018 and have been recognised nationally for their focus on equality and inclusion.

Since late 2017 Angela has been working in a shared role as NHFT chief executive and the system lead for the Northamptonshire Health and Care Partnership (NHCP). Due to her new appointment Angela has moved aside from the NHCP lead role. Angela will remain a key part of the partnership as a member of the NHCP Board alongside her new role as chief executive of LPT, sharing her expertise with the Better Care Together partnership across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

In February 2019, LPT was rated overall as ‘Requires Improvement’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), including an ‘Inadequate’ rating for the Well-Led domain. At this time LPT received a package of support from NHS Improvement, including a buddy relationship with NHFT as a neighbouring ‘Outstanding’ mental health and community trust.

Dr Peter Miller, current chief executive of LPT, announced his retirement earlier this year, following six years in the Trust and 32 years in NHS.

  • NOTES TO EDITORS
    Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (LPT) provides community health, mental health and learning disabilities services for the one million people living in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. We have a budget in excess of £275 million and employ approximately 5,500 staff.
    For more information visit: www.leicspart.nhs.uk. Our registered charity is called Raising Health (charity number 1057361). The charity fundraises to support excellent care initiatives, equipment and innovations which go above and beyond core NHS provision to enhance the experience of our patients, service users and staff. See www.raisinghealth.org.uk
  • For further information contact: Kamy Basra, Head of Communications, Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, Tel: 0116 295 0924, Email: kamy.basra@leicspart.nhs.uk