Mel Coombes, Chief Executive
Mel joined the Trust as Chief Nurse and Chief Operating Officer in 2019 and was subsequently appointed as Chief Executive in January 2021.
The Chief Executive is responsible for leading the development and delivery of all Trust strategy and development. Through the executive directors, this role includes being ultimately responsible for all day-to-day management decisions, implementing the Trust’s short- and long-term plans, and monitoring performance against objectives. The Chief Executive is the Trust’s Accountable Officer. The Chief Executive also takes direct responsibility for staff engagement activity across the Trust.
Background and experience
Mel has more than 30 years’ experience working in the NHS. A registered nurse, she was Director of Nursing and Quality and Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust for seven years before joining the Trust. With a passion for improving quality, Mel has led on several developments at a national level. She was previously the Chair of the National Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Nurse Directors Forum.
Qualifications
PgdPBA, PgdLD, RNMH.