NHS Orkney’s Chief Executive to join NHS Grampian after leading the Health Board’s Recovery

Following a competitive recruitment process, it has today been announced that Laura Skaife-Knight has been appointed the new Chief Executive at NHS Grampian.

Laura will leave her current role as chief executive of NHS Orkney this autumn to take over from current interim Chief Executive, Dr Adam Coldwells, when he retires.

Making the announcement, Chair of NHS Grampian, Alison Evison said: “I am delighted to welcome Laura to NHS Grampian. Her 20 years’ experience in the NHS working at Board-level for some of England’s largest acute teaching hospitals as well as for NHS Orkney, a partner Board in the North of Scotland, and track record of delivering improvements to patients and staff experience as well as operational and financial performance, will be invaluable as we move forward.

“Laura joins us at a challenging time, but I know that as a leader and chief executive known for putting people first that she already recognises that NHS Grampian’s talented staff and proven ability to deliver the very best care, along with a commitment to working in partnership and collaboration locally, regionally and nationally, means we are well positioned to rise to the occasion and move forward positively, together.”

The appointment has been welcomed by Scotland’s health secretary Neil Gray who said: “I am pleased to welcome Laura Skaife-Knight to her new position as Chief Executive of NHS Grampian. Laura is bringing a wealth of experience to the role and I look forward to working with her.”

Speaking on her appointment, Laura Skaife Knight said: “I will be leaving NHS Orkney with many happy memories and secure in the knowledge that the hard work of its incredible staff has put strong foundations in place that mean the organisation has a very bright future.

“I look forward to joining NHS Grampian and leading the organisation through its next chapter, recognising the immediate challenges ahead, the potential for our future and what is possible if we work together when it comes to further improving care, services and experience for our patients, communities and staff.

“I have enjoyed working with Adam Coldwells through the North of Scotland Chief Executive Group and, recognising his upcoming retirement, would like to acknowledge the very significant contribution he has made both as Interim Chief Executive for Grampian and in community and system-wide roles over the last three decades.”

Meghan McEwen, Board Chair at NHS Orkney, said: “Working with Laura has been a true privilege. She consistently puts people first every day, including patients and staff. I want to congratulate Laura, wish her well and thank her for her incredible work for NHS Orkney. I am pleased that she will not be going far and that we will continue to work together regionally and nationally.”

In a message that was sent to staff at NHS Orkney this morning, Laura said:

“I will be stepping down knowing that the foundations are now well and truly in place to ensure a sustainable future for this brilliant organisation.

“At the heart of what I have tried to do since I have been in post is put people first. This has meant an unrelenting focus on reconnecting us with our community and with each other and whilst there is more to do – we have come a long way.

“NHS Orkney is an incredibly special organisation – not least because of you (Team Orkney) but because of the extra special relationship we have with our local community, which is like nothing I have experienced in my 25+ career in the NHS to date.

“I am immensely proud of you all, the teamwork you have showed in the last few years and for demonstrating just what we can do and achieve when we pull together and in the same direction to look after our community and provide excellent care.

“We can evidence improvements in almost every domain if we look at our journey over the last few years – quality and safety, patient and staff experience, digital improvements, financial and operational performance.

“Being your CEO has been an immense privilege. I look forward to now watching from a little further afar (but still being in the North of Scotland) your next chapter knowing the exceptional things you will go on to achieve for our patients, community and staff. With regard to Laura’s successor, options are already being explored to provide NHS Orkney with stability and values-driven leadership. We will continue to keep our community informed once a timeline and plan is confirmed for next steps and these options have been further explored.