Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s (WWL) Board of Directors has announced the upcoming departure of its Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Silas Nicholls, who has been associated with WWL for many years; first as Director of Strategy and Planning and Deputy Chief Executive from 2010 to 2014, and latterly as CEO from October 2019, will take up the role of CEO at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in early 2024, with a start date to be confirmed soon.
It was soon after his appointment as WWL CEO, Silas confidently led WWL’s organisational response to the COVID-19 pandemic that hit WWL, Greater Manchester and the wider NHS very hard. Through this difficult and extraordinary period, and the subsequent recovery effort that followed, Silas was able to guide the Trust and its staff to ensure the continuation of Wigan’s health services and the provision of compassionate, person-centred care for its patients.
Mark Jones, Chair of WWL said: “There are many things that Silas can be rightly proud of during his time at WWL and he will leave a definite legacy when he departs, not least through the service and site developments that he has been involved in.
“One of his most significant achievements was the creation of an additional ward area to increase capacity during the pandemic which progressed from concept to delivery within a six-week period. Equally, he made sure WWL was an early adopter of the Virtual Ward model and he led the development of our Community Assessment Unit, as well as the creation of the Jean Heyes Reablement Unit. More recently, Silas has been instrumental in the development of the Community Diagnostic Centre and the provision of a new theatre on the Leigh Infirmary site.
“Most of all, Silas has been a visible and approachable leader and I wish him all the very best with this new chapter in his career journey.”
Speaking of his time at WWL, Silas said: “I would like to thank the WWL Board for welcoming me back and giving me the opportunity to proudly lead WWL as CEO. It has been a privilege to work with such a talented Executive Team and supportive colleagues across WWL.
“There have been some real challenges that we have collectively tackled together during my time as CEO, and I know that WWL will continue to achieve everything it sets out to do.”
In line with any Board appointment, the Trust will shortly be commencing the robust recruitment process for its next Chief Executive Officer.