Acute CEO role for boss within provider 'chain'

James Sumner, who currently leads Salford Royal Hospital within the Northern Care Alliance, will move to Mid Cheshire Hospitals FT in July.

It follows Tracy Bullock’s move from Mid Cheshire to University Hospitals of North Midlands Trust.

Mr Sumner joined the NHS in 1999, initially working in primary care before moving on to several regional quality improvement roles.

He moved into the acute sector in 2005 and held a number of operational and strategic roles, including chief operating officer at Stockport FT.

In 2016, he became chief officer of Salford Royal Hospital and the “care organisation” that brings together health and social care in the borough.

This post was created under the group model built between Salford Royal FT and Pennine Acute Hospitals Trust, in which there are four distinct leadership teams sitting beneath a group-level board.

Mr Sumner said: “I have been incredibly impressed with the staff I have met and the significant progress the organisation has made over the last decade. I look forward to working with the board to further develop these ambitions and also with partners in Cheshire on the challenging and exciting agenda ahead.”

Dennis Dunn, chair of Mid Cheshire, said: “James brings with him an impressive track record of organisational success across key trusts and systems in the NHS and will undoubtedly inspire us to continue to be the best that we can be for our patients.”

Medical director and deputy chief executive Paul Dodds is currently interim CEO.