James Sumner, Group Chief Executive of the University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, has informed staff that he intends to leave his position in the coming months, marking a significant leadership change at one of England's most complex hospital collaborations.

The Group brings together acute, women's and specialist cardiac services across what were previously three separate NHS foundation trusts. Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust formally combined to create the Group on 1 November 2024, with Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital subsequently joining on 1 October 2025.

Sumner's departure follows a difficult period for the organisation. Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, the largest component of the Group, was placed in the "red" category under NHS England's capability assessment framework, a rating applied to providers considered to face the most significant leadership and operational challenges. This designation brings with it increased oversight, scrutiny and a higher level of national support directed at the trust.

Sumner has led the organisation and its predecessor trusts since 2022, when he joined initially as chief executive of the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust ahead of its merger with Aintree University Hospital. He was later appointed joint chief executive alongside Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust in December 2023, before taking on the role of Group Chief Executive when the wider organisation was formally created in November 2024.

David Flory, Group Chair of University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, responded to the announcement by acknowledging the significant personal and professional demands the role had placed on Sumner, and expressed what he described as genuine sadness at his departure. Flory characterised the loss as significant, both for the Group itself and for the wider North West healthcare system.

Flory has held senior leadership roles across the Liverpool hospital network since February 2023, when he was appointed Chair of Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. His remit expanded in March 2024 when he took on a joint chair role covering both Liverpool University Hospitals and Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust, and again in April 2025, when he became joint chair at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital as well.

To manage the leadership transition, the Group has appointed Professor David Loughton as interim Chief Executive while recruitment for a permanent successor to Sumner continues. Announcing the appointment, Flory said the board was pleased to bring in Professor Loughton, citing his experience in financial recovery, workforce development, patient safety and operational improvement as key to ensuring continuity and stability during what he described as an important stage in the Group's development.

Whoever eventually succeeds Sumner on a permanent basis will inherit a demanding role. The most immediate priority will be addressing the red capability rating at Liverpool University Hospitals, which will require clear and demonstrable improvements in leadership and operational performance in order for the trust to be reassessed favourably.

The Group's board has stated its intention to maintain the momentum of its existing multi-year improvement plans throughout the leadership transition, working alongside Professor Loughton in the interim period as recruitment for a substantive chief executive proceeds.

‍