Robert Woolley is new chair of Bristol Health Partners AHSC

  • 23rd November 2020

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust Chief Executive Robert Woolley will be taking on the role of interim chair of Bristol Health Partners AHSC.

His appointment by the Bristol Health Partners Board follows the retirement of Andrea Young from her post of Chief Executive at North Bristol NHS Trust at the end of 2020.

Robert said: “I am honoured to have the opportunity to act as Bristol Health Partners chair as we begin our journey as a newly appointed Academic Health Science Centre (AHSC). The AHSC designation is testament to the extraordinary work that has been done in the past seven years with Andrea as chair. The Board and I are grateful to Andrea for her unwavering commitment and support of Bristol Health Partners and we wish her all the very best for her retirement.”

Bristol Health Partners AHSC Director Professor David Wynick said: “I am delighted to welcome Robert to his new role as our chair. Robert brings a wealth of experience and understanding of collaborative working between clinical services, research and education to deliver excellent patient care and innovation. I would also like to take the opportunity to thank Andrea for always being a true champion of Bristol Health Partners.”

Robert has been Chief Executive of University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust since 2010. He also held the Chief Executive post at Weston Area Health NHS Trust from 2019, in anticipation of the merger of the two Trusts to become University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust in April 2020. Before this, Robert was Director of Performance Management at United Bristol Healthcare Trust and was Project Director for the Trust’s successful application for Foundation status in 2008. Robert is co-executive lead for Healthier Together, the Sustainability and Transformation Partnership for the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire health and care system.

Robert’s role as interim chair will begin in January 2021.

Andrea Young said: “I am grateful to Bristol Health Partners for everything I have learned and had the chance to be part of during my time as chair. Our Partnership is bold and truly unique in the way it works collaboratively across local health and social care providers, academia, public health and the voluntary and community sectors. I wish Robert and the Board all the best in this exciting new chapter of Bristol Health Partners.”