Eileen Milner appointed permanent chair of CPFT
Eileen Milner is the new Chair of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust.
Eileen, who has been with the mental health and community care provider in an interim capacity since May, was appointed to the permanent role during a meeting of the Trust’s Council of Governors on Thursday, 7 December.
She succeeds Julie Spence who stepped down after nine years, the maximum amount of time she could serve in the post.
Lead Governor Andrea Hill said: “We are delighted to appoint Eileen as the new Chair of CPFT following a rigorous and detailed process led by governors which involved staff, stakeholders, partners and Board members.
“In her time as interim Chair, Eileen has demonstrated such empathetic leadership, integrity, and curiosity for everything the Trust does that both governors and staff have warmed to her approach.
“Her leadership will be pivotal in ensuring we give the best possible services for the people we serve.”
Eileen, who originally joined the Trust as a Non-Executive Director in September 2022, said: “To have been appointed as the substantive Chair after six months in the interim role is a fantastic honour and I must thank the Council of Governors and all board members, both executives and non-executives for the support they have shown me.
“The breadth of work that takes place across the Trust on a daily basis is extraordinary and I know that there is a fierce urgency among all teams at CPFT to ensure that patients and their families and carers get the help and support they need.
“Of course, we don’t work alone and I will be looking to ensure we continue to build on the partnerships we have and develop new collaborations so that CPFT remains central to the local and regional health system.”
During a career which has spanned the public and private sectors, Eileen was formerly the Chief Operating Officer of the Care Quality Commission and led work across the NHS on whistleblowing and Freedom To Speak Up.
While Chief Executive of the Education and Skills Funding Agency, she was responsible for one of the largest budgets in UK public service, skills and apprenticeships policy and delivery, as well as the regulation of academies and colleges in England.
A Cambridgeshire resident for more than 25 years, she is Chair of Bradford Children and Families Trust and on the board of Ofqual, the regulator of qualifications in England.
CPFT, which employs more than 4,500 staff, provides community physical health services for older people and adults with long term conditions, mental health services, children community services in Peterborough and learning disability services. The Trust is also renowned for its research and development work.
ENDS
About Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust (CPFT) is a health and social care organisation, providing integrated community, mental health and learning disability services, across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, and children’s community services in Peterborough. We support a population of just under a million people and employ more than 4,500 staff. Our largest bases are at the Cavell Centre, Peterborough, and Fulbourn Hospital, Cambridge, but our staff are based in over 90 locations. We are a University of Cambridge Teaching Trust and member of Cambridge University Health Partners, working together with the University of Cambridge Clinical School.
For more information contact:
Andy Burrows
Deputy Head of Communications
E communications@cpft.nhs.uk
