Our chief executive, Stuart Bell, has been highlighted by the Health Service Journal (HSJ) as one of the best NHS chief executives in the country. At the end of March, the HSJ published a list of the 50 chief executives ‘doing an exceptional job of steering provider trusts’. Their judging panel selected 50 names and then highlighted the ten most exceptional leaders.

Editor of HSJ Alastair McLellan said: “Leading a provider trust is a mission which surely at times appears thankless – political sensitivities abound, as does the pressing target to deliver outstanding care at reduced cost. The litmus test for judges was one particular question – the staff survey: the percentage of staff who would be happy for a friend or family member to be treated at the organisation at which they work.”

Stuart said: “While I am grateful to be recognised in this list, I note that the judges paid special attention to the staff survey question about whether staff would be happy for a friend or relative to be treated in their trust. I would therefore say that this recognition is above else a testament to everyone in the trust who works hard to deliver a service they would be happy for their family and friends to receive.”

The HSJ’s top 10 most exceptional chief executives are:

• Stuart Bell, Oxford Health Foundation Trust
• Andrew Cash, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust
• Mike Cooke, Nottinghamshire Healthcare Trust
• David Dalton, Salford Royal Foundation Trust
• Peter Homa, Nottingham University Hospitals Trust
• Julie Moore, University Hospitals Birmingham Foundation Trust
• Andrew Morris, Frimley Park Hospital Foundation Trust
• Robert Naylor, University College London Hospitals Foundation Trust
• Miles Scott, St George’s Healthcare Trust
• David Sloman, Royal Free London Foundation Trust