Nottinghamshire County Council chief executive Anthony May moves to Nottingham University Hospitals Trust

The new chief executive of Nottingham University Hospitals Trust will start work in September.

Anthony May has been appointed to the most senior operational role at the trust, which runs Nottingham City Hospital and the Queen’s Medical Centre.

Mr May is currently one of Nottinghamshire County Council’s longest-serving chief executives, but will depart this role later this year and start work at the hospitals trust on September 1.

He joins at a time when both hospitals are under considerable pressure and scrutiny from health inspectors the Care Quality Commission.

The trust overall is rated by them as requires improvement and its maternity services are graded as inadequate.

Another report published by the CQC in 2021 described a culture of bullying at the organisation.

The trust is also facing a new independent review into a series of baby deaths and incidents in maternity, which will be led by healthcare and midwifery expert Donna Ockenden.

A report prepared by Ben Bradley, leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, thanked Mr May for his outstanding service and his work on behalf of the county at a regional and national level.

Rupert Egginton has been in the role of interim chief executive at the hospitals trust since the departure of Tracy Taylor in 2021 following a long period of covid-related ill-health.

Papers published ahead of the council’s full meeting on July 7 state that Mr May has provided exemplary leadership to the authority.

He previously worked in the children, families and cultural services department, and later became deputy chief executive of the authority.

He became chief executive in 2015.

The papers stated: “During his tenure Anthony has provided strong and effective leadership of the county council, improving outcomes for a population of over 830,000 residents and 30,000 businesses.

“Alongside his leadership of the country’s tenth largest county council, he has played a major role regionally and nationally in leading economic growth and the response to covid.”

The papers added that Mr May’s notable achievements include providing leadership to a review into the reshaping of safeguarding services, working with local councils on a devolution package and playing a key role in integrating local authorities into the delivery of vaccines.

Nick Carver, chairman of Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “I am delighted that Anthony has been appointed as our new chief executive.

“He has extensive knowledge of the issues faced by the system, a proven commitment to partnership working and a strong track record in the provision of excellent services that are accountable to the public."