Management Structure

The hospital is managed by the Board of Directors which consists of the Chair, 8 Executives and 7 Non-Executive Directors.

Executive Directors

		Cara Charles-Barks Chief Executive Hello, my name is Cara Charles-Barks and I am the Chief Executive Officer at the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust and also Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust. I am an accomplished, knowledgeable, and proactive advanced healthcare management professional. I qualified as a Registered Nurse in 1990 in Australia and have over 30 years' experience in the public and private health care sector. » Read more I work hard to build relationships and to communicate effectively with diverse health and social care professionals; and develop and motivate large teams to deliver the best care possible for the people within my organisation and at system level. I aim to provide strong, visible and inspiring leadership and support to ensure that we constantly drive ourselves to improve. I have demonstrated my ability to deliver complex, organisational changes whilst ensuring that all of our people feel included and able to shape the future. I also have a proven track record of leading through engaging, continually supporting, developing and motivating staff. I have been named as one of the NHS's top 50 Chief Executives five times - in 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 - and in June 2019 I was awarded an MBE as part of the Queen's Birthday honours for inspirational and outstanding leadership. This was in recognition of my leadership of Salisbury Foundation Trust during the Novichok incident. Also in June 2019, I was appointed Honorary Colonel of 243 (Wessex) Field Hospital, part of the Army Reserve Medical Services. I strongly believe that true potential to innovate is unlocked through connection and by working with others. Excellence is usually achieved through collaboration and with support. As we share ideas, challenge each other, and support one another, we foster an environment where innovation thrives and the art of the possible is realised. When we work and learn together we can improve together. At the RUH one of my key priorities is to ensure that we create a culture whereby the people that work here and the people we care for have an exceptional experience. This experience should be built on the foundation of humanity and the connections we have with each other to make a difference. It calls for vulnerability, openness, and a willingness to engage with others. I also want to ensure that our culture here enables everyone to be themselves, so that they can thrive in what is a safe, open and inclusive environment. Priorities such as our kindness and civility program, our improving together leadership program and our just culture program are all ways in which we are slowly making changes. It is a real privilege for me to work in a role where I can make a difference every day. I am proud to be part of the team here at RUH and our community here in Bath. cara.charlesbarks@nhs.net Declared interests: Vice Chair of the Health Innovation West of England on the Behalf of the RUH Visiting Professor in the Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences at the University of the West of England. Chair of NHS Quest, a Leadership and Development Provider. Appointed Honorary Colonel of 243 (Wessex) Field Hospital, part of the Army Reserve Medical Services. « Close
		Andrew Hollowood Interim Managing Director Hello, my name is Andrew Hollowood and I am the interim Managing Director at the RUH. I joined the RUH as its Chief Medical Officer in November 2022 and also became Deputy Chief Executive in October 2023. I am a Cancer Surgeon specialising in gastric cancer and previously worked at the University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust as Deputy Medical Director and Site Medical Director at Weston Hospital. » Read more I trained in the South West and in Japan at the National Cancer Centre. I am committed to creating a culture of listening to staff in order to problem solve and create solutions. I am also focussed on reducing waiting times and embedding our clinical strategy. I am passionate about taking positive action to reduce the impact of health inequalities by raising awareness and making it everyone's business. Outside of work I am a member of the advisory board of Bristol-based Boomsatsuma, which provides young people with the opportunity to work in the creative industries. a.hollowood@nhs.net Declared interests: Director of Andrew Hollowood Ltd; FH Intuition Ltd; Member of the advisory board, Boomsatsuma Creative Arts Education Company. Wife is a General Practitioner at Hartcliffe Surgery, Bristol. « Close
		Toni Lynch Chief Nursing Officer Hello, my name is Toni and I am the Chief Nursing Officer here at the RUH. I joined the Trust in April 2021 from Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, where I was Deputy Chief Nurse and acting Chief Nurse providing leadership to 7000 nurses and midwives through the first two waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. » Read more I have also previously held senior roles both in clinical and operational management. I hold a Masters' degree in Advanced Nursing Practice and have completed the Nye Bevan Executive Leadership programme. antonia.lynch4@nhs.net Declared interests: Spouse is a Matron at Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust « Close
		Jon Lund Interim Chief Financial Officer Hello, my name is Jon Lund and I am the Interim Chief Financial Officer at the RUH, Bath. I have joined the Trust in May 2024 from Bristol, North Somerset & South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board where I was Deputy Chief Finance Officer for 5 years. » Read more I have spent my career in NHS finance in the South West, working in senior finance and business planning roles in acute hospitals and Integrated Care Boards in the South West. My role also includes board leadership for IT. I have a strong affinity to the RUH, where I was born, had surgery as a young adult and worked in my first substantive accountant role from 2004-2006. I believe robust and effective financial and IT systems and controls are an essential enabler of the delivery sustainable and effective healthcare, ensuring the NHS can provide value for money for taxpayers, the population we serve and patients within our care. I enjoy working in multi-disciplinary teams, and am a passionate believer in the power of data and insights to support clinical teams to improve patient care and outcomes. jon.lund1@nhs.net Declared interests: On secondment from BNSSG ICB – commenced 1st May 2024 Trustee of Windmill Hill City Farm (Bristol) – commenced 1st May 2024 « Close
		Paran Govender Chief Operating Officer I joined the Trust from Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, where I have been based for the last 4 years. I have worked at a number of NHS organisations, most especially King's College NHS Foundation Trust where I held a number of clinical and operational roles over my 18 years with the Trust. » Read more I have extensive clinical and leadership experience as an Occupational Therapist, Chief Therapist and Director of Operations and Partnerships in South East London. I grew up in South Africa. The political and economic challenges resulting in a disproportionate socio-economic climate have left an indelible mark on me. I have committed, over many years, to supporting those in need and working tirelessly to champion basic rights including health and care. I am happiest when I am working to build collaborations in complex health and care systems. I enjoy the curious, creative and collective problem solving that comes with bringing together different views, centred around making positive differences to our patients and diverse communities. I draw on my clinical, educational and research practice as well as my extensive leadership experience in complex acute, community, social care and voluntary organisations. I am delighted to be joining the Trust to work, in partnership, to deliver outstanding care for the population we serve. paran.govender@nhs.net Declared interests: None « Close
		Jocelyn Foster Chief Strategic Officer Hello, my name is Joss Foster and I'm Chief Strategic Officer at the RUH with particular responsibility for our teams skilled in longer term planning, major projects, communications and fundraising. » Read more Across my career I've worked in similar or related roles in many different sectors including strategic consultancy, logistics, utilities, council and mental health services. My priorities include ensuring the RUH remains fit for the future and I'm privileged to have the opportunity of working alongside so many amazing colleagues both in the RUH and our wider health and care system striving to make a difference everyday for the people we serve. jocelyn.foster@nhs.net Declared interests: Complaints Panelist for the Dental Complaints Service. Investor in Veloscient Ltd (An organisation developing a platform to facilitate structured data capture for a range of markets including healthcare). « Close
		Alfredo Thompson Chief People Officer Hello, my name is Alfredo Thompson and I'm the Chief People Officer. I joined the organisation in February 2022, and have previously worked as a Director inside and outside the NHS. » Read more I'm passionate about organisational culture, staff experience and inclusion. I believe that treating our people with kindness and respect is key to ensuring that everyone feels like they are able to contribute to the success of RUH. It's really important to make sure we recognise each other's individuality and we consider the ideas and suggestions offered by our colleagues. We are working hard at creating an environment where our people feel cared for and like they are able to express their true feelings at work. alfredo.thompson@nhs.net Declared interests: Attends Locum's Nest Special Interest Group meetings. Locum's Nest is a private organisation that the Trust uses to book Medical Locums. « Close
		Christopher Brooks-Daw Chief of Staff Hello, my name is Christopher. I became the Chief of Staff in January 2024, having worked in many roles in healthcare for over 30 years beforehand. I have had a varied career spanning clinical and corporate roles in both the NHS, overseas and the independent healthcare sector. » Read more My previous roles have included senior positions in nursing, governance and risk, leadership and organisational change. My motivation centres on continuous learning, bringing simplicity and clarity, fostering a positive organisational culture, and advocating for both staff and patients. I enjoy working with colleagues to find creative ways to solve problems and design better ways of working. c.brooks-daw2@nhs.net Declared interests: None « Close

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