Board members

Our Trust Board comprises non-executive and executive directors who are jointly responsible for the effective management of Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust. 

Led by the Chair, our non-executive directors use their knowledge, skills and experience to help the Board formulate Trust strategies, and support and promote a healthy organisational culture. They hold the Board to account by challenging its decisions and outcomes to make sure they are satisfied that our organisation is operating with financial and operational integrity, and in the best interests of patients and the public. 

Led by the Chief Executive, the executive directors are our most senior managers and are responsible for the day-to-day running of the Trust, including matters on strategy and operational management, as well as any issues regarding staff or patients. 

Both the non-executive directors and the executive directors regularly speak with patients and staff, listening to their views, ideas and concerns.

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Louise Stead - Chief Executive

Louise Stead - Chief Executive

Louise Stead qualified as a registered nurse in 1988. She had a varied clinical career across many specialities in a number of London teaching hospitals before moving to the Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust. She has an MSc in Professional Practice (Leadership and Management) and is a Visiting Professor at the University of Surrey.

In 2018, Louise was appointed as Chief Executive of Royal Surrey and prior to this she held roles as Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Director of Nursing. She was pivotal to the Trust achieving a ‘good’ rating from the Care Quality Commission in 2018 and to Royal Surrey County Hospital achieving a ‘outstanding’ rating in 2020. Louise is also a specialist advisor to the Care Quality Commission and has participated in carrying out well led reviews at other NHS Trusts.

Louise chairs the Surrey and Sussex Cancer Alliance and National Cancer Alliance Leadership Forum. She is a Provider Partner Member of the NHS Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care Board and Chair of the Surrey Heartlands Provider Collaborative Board.

In 2023, Louise was included in the HSJ top 50 list of pre-eminent NHS Trust leaders and was ranked 13th out of 219 NHS Trust chief executives by judges across the health and social care profession. Louise is passionate about putting the patient at the heart of every discussion and the effect that good leadership has on clinical outcomes.