Maria Kane is new Bristol Health Partners AHSC Chair

  • 21st February 2022

North Bristol NHS Trust Chief Executive Maria Kane OBE will be taking on the role of interim Chair of Bristol Health Partners Academic Health Science Centre (AHSC).

Maria’s appointment by the Bristol Health Partners Board follows the retirement of Robert Woolley from his post of Chief Executive at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust in April 2022.

Maria said:

“It is an honour to be taking on this important role working with colleagues across the area to fully realise our research ambitions as an Academic Health Science Centre.

“Bristol is a well-recognised hub of research expertise and innovation, and Bristol Health Partners provides us with a great platform for collaboration so that we can achieve better health outcomes and reduce health inequalities.”

Bristol Health Partners AHSC Director Professor David Wynick said:

“I am delighted to welcome Maria to her new role as our chair and look forward to working with her to further advance our system working across the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care System. I would like to thank Robert for his superb leadership since taking on the chair of Bristol Health Partners in January 2021, and wish him all the very best for his retirement.”

Maria has been Chief Executive of North Bristol NHS Trust since April 2021. Before this, she held the role of Chief Executive of North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust, and previously worked as Chief Executive of Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust between 2007 and 2017, and as Executive Director at North West London Strategic Health Authority between 2002 and 2006. Maria has held a variety of senior roles in corporate and strategic development for the Royal College of Midwives, the Medical Protection Society and the National Council of Voluntary Organisations.

In 2019, Maria was made an OBE for services to health care leadership over two decades. She has previously been a trustee of Open Mind, Umbrella Mental Health, and Young Minds, as well as an adviser to the Lullaby Trust and a special adviser to the Care Quality Commission.

Maria’s role as interim Chair will begin in April 2022.

Robert Woolley said:

“It has been a privilege to be the interim Chair of Bristol Health Partners AHSC. Achieving designation as one of only seven AHSCs in the country was a huge accomplishment and a testament to the fantastic work of all of the multi-disciplinary members of its health integration teams.

“I’m delighted to be passing on the role to the very capable hands of Maria Kane and wish the AHSC all the best for continuing success.”