Roland Sinker, chief executive of Cambridge University Hospitals Foundation Trust, will leave his position at the end of the year, bringing to a close nearly a decade of leadership at one of the country’s most high-profile teaching hospital trusts. He will take up a new role at the University of Cambridge, where he has been appointed to lead a major review examining how the university can strengthen its approach to inclusive innovation and accelerate regional and national economic growth.
Mr Sinker joined CUH in late 2015 at a time when the trust was facing considerable operational and regulatory challenges. Shortly before his arrival, the Care Quality Commission had placed the trust into special measures following concerns about performance, governance and the reliability of critical IT systems. Over the subsequent years, CUH emerged from special measures and its CQC rating improved from inadequate to good, with inspectors noting progress in leadership stability, clinical oversight and quality improvement. His tenure is often associated with re-establishing the organisation as a leading academic and research centre with strong ties to Cambridge’s broader life sciences ecosystem.
Despite these improvements, Mr Sinker has acknowledged in recent years that the trust faces significant cultural and organisational challenges, including the need to strengthen staff experience, modernise working practices and ensure that CUH’s scale and complexity do not hinder patient care. Work on organisational culture, leadership development and staff engagement has been ongoing throughout the past two years. Board papers have frequently referenced the need for sustained cultural change to support patient flow, elective recovery and workforce stability.
The trust confirmed that his departure is part of an 18-month succession plan prepared in advance of his tenth anniversary at CUH. According to a statement issued by the organisation, the transition reflects long-term planning rather than a change in strategic direction. Deputy chief executive Nicola Ayton, who joined the trust’s leadership team in 2022, will assume the role of acting chief executive from next month while the trust begins a formal recruitment process for a substantive CEO. Ms Ayton has previously held senior strategic and operational posts across the NHS and is expected to provide continuity during the transition period.
In comments released by the trust, Mr Sinker said he was looking forward to the opportunity presented by his new role at the University of Cambridge. He stated that the position will allow him to build on existing partnerships across the Cambridge biomedical and innovation cluster and contribute to the development of a growth strategy intended to benefit both the region and the wider United Kingdom. The university noted that his work will involve close collaboration with Patrick Vallance, minister for science, innovation, research and nuclear, as part of a national focus on strengthening research translation and economic impact.
Further details about the scope and timeline of the review are expected to be set out early next year. CUH meanwhile will continue operating under its existing strategic framework while preparations for the leadership transition take place.
