Paul Simpson, the Chief Finance Officer at Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust (SASH), has today announced that he will retire in September after more than 18 years at the Trust.
Paul joined the NHS in 2002 when he was appointed as Deputy Director of Finance at Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, following previous roles at NHS England South East and the Department of Health and Social Care, ultimately taking up the role of Chief Finance Officer at SASH in December 2007. He then became Deputy Chief Executive in 2010.
During his time in healthcare, Paul has acted as the Chair of the Finance Group for the Sussex and East Surrey Sustainability and Transformation Partnership, and from April 2021, he also took on the additional role of Director of Estates and Facilities. He is also the Trust's Green Plan lead, a direct nod to his personal interest in the environment and his degree in zoology.
Paul Simpson, Chief Finance Officer, said:
“I am very proud to have been part of the SASH team, and grateful that so many people have supported me so strongly over the last 18 years. That’s a long time and we have accomplished a great deal along the way.
"One moment that will always stay with me is from the two months I was acting CEO during the pandemic. Although it was tough, it was truly humbling to see how the teams across the Trust pulled together so selflessly to make sure we delivered our services for all those who needed us.
“I have thought long and hard about my retirement but as I will be 65 on 2 September, it’s the right time to address my work/life balance."
Angela Stevenson, the Trust's outgoing Chief Executive, said:
“It has been my privilege to work with Paul for so many years. He has been an incredible support to me as my deputy and so much has changed since he first joined in 2007. During his time as Chief Finance Officer, Paul has supported the Trust through the changing landscape of the NHS over nearly two decades, and we have just signed off his 18th set of annual accounts.
"Away from his leadership achievements, he has also overseen the planting of a new 6.5-hectare woodland area on our East Surrey site and delivered some really important progress as the Trust's estates and Green Plan lead, which will benefit the local community and those coming to our site for years to come.
"Paul will be missed by all those who worked with him and I know many of them, including our Trust Board and fellow Executive team members, will join me in thanking him for his hard work and dedication in overseeing the Trust's finances over the last 18 years. His work behind the scenes has ensured that our clinical teams can focus on providing the best possible care for our patients and the population we serve. We wish him all the best for the future.”
The Trust will begin the process of agreeing Paul's successor over the coming months.
Paul will continue his work as a trustee for GambleAware.