Eileen has been a nurse for over 40 years. For 22 years, she was the Chief Nurse across three different trusts, spending 15 years as Chief Nurse and Deputy Chief Executive at Guy’s and St Thomas’ (GSST) NHS Foundation Trust.

Eileen has a reputation for strong, visible, clinical leadership and is known for her relentless drive to improve patient and staff experience, with a focus on the small things that make the biggest difference.

Most notably, was the work she led on dementia and protecting the most vulnerable, not just at GSTT, but also across London; the film she developed and led – called Barbara’s Story –gained international recognition.

Eileen retired in 2020, to go and have cancer treatment and describes herself as a reluctant retiree who hasn’t quite worked out what to do in this new chapter of life. This led her to return to the NHS in 2022 where she had the opportunity to be the Chief Nurse at NHS Kent & Medway ICB for 12 months, gaining valuable experience with commissioning, developing a new organisation and working with social care partners. Eileen is now working part time for Coventry University, London campus as the Pro Vice Chancellors Strategic Advisor.

Eileen is delighted to have the opportunity to sit on the first Board.