New chair announced for Kettering and Northampton general hospitals

John MacDonald

The University Hospitals of Northamptonshire (UHN) – which is a collaboration between Kettering and Northampton general hospitals – is appointing a joint Chair to support closer working between two neighbouring organisations.

John MacDonald – who is currently chair of the University Hospitals of Leicester (UHL) will become Chair of both UHL and the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire’s two hospital boards on July 1. He will be stepping down from his role as Chair of NHS Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board to take up the position of chair at Northamptonshire’s two hospitals. 

The move will build on the closer relationships being developed between the three Trusts through their shared Biomedical Research Centre. Kettering and Northampton general hospitals also formally achieved University Hospital status with the University of Leicester, and other academic partners, to become the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire NHS Group on July 1, 2021.
https://www.kgh.nhs.uk/news/new-era-dawns-for-northamptonshire-hospital-provision-1906/

Mr MacDonald’s leadership will help to drive further collaboration between the organisations in areas such as research, clinical development, and recruitment. This will benefit the patients of the three Trusts, their communities and NHS colleagues.

KGH Interim Chair, Trevor Shipman said: “We are delighted to welcome John as Joint Chair for both Kettering and Northampton general hospital Trusts. He has a wealth of NHS experience and the additional depth that comes from working both in the private sector and internationally. He will be in a great position to support the collaborative work we are developing between our organisations and with our local partners.”

NGH Interim Chair, Rachel Parker said: “John’s work as Chair and Chief Executive of a number of NHS acute hospitals and the new Integrated Care Board in Derbyshire means he is ideally placed to support greater collaboration and partnership between UHL and UHN and with our university partners.”

Mr MacDonald has been Chair of the UHL since April 2021. He was previously Chair of Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust for four years. In addition to his NHS roles he has worked with management consultants Touche Ross and has ten years’ experience of working as an economist with international aid agencies.

He said: “To take on the leadership of the Northampton and Kettering boards is a huge privilege. ‘I am very much looking forward to working with the team to strengthen clinical collaboration and reset the Group model.’

“I am grateful for the work of my predecessor, Alan Burns, who established and led the UHN group. Building on this, Northampton and Kettering will continue to work closely together, providing high quality services to the people of Northamptonshire.

“We are also keen to explore closer partnership working between Leicester, Kettering and Northampton. There are already well-established relationships to build on, and exciting opportunities to make a bigger difference for the people we serve. We are all invested in supporting our staff and making the three Trusts rewarding and enjoyable places to work.”

Mr MacDonald replaces Alan Burns who stood down as Chair of Kettering and Northampton general hospitals on March 31, 2023, after serving as Chairman of Kettering General Hospital since August 2017 and Chairman of Northampton General Hospital since December 2018.

The appointment of Mr MacDonald will not change the Trust Board arrangements at either UHL or UHN which will continue as they are.