Jacqui Smith has stepped down as our Chair after being appointed an Education Minister by the Prime Minister. She will also become a member of the House of the Lords.

Jacqui has been our Chair – and Chair of Barts Health – for three years, including leading us through our exit from 'special measures'. During that time she has overseen our closer collaboration with Barts Health and the work we’re doing with them and Homerton Healthcare as part of an acute provider collaborative.

Jacqui told Board colleagues at the weekend:

I am enormously proud that the new Prime Minister has asked me to join the government as the Minister for Skills, Further and Higher Education.

Whilst I’m absolutely delighted, I’m sad that it means that I’ll need to resign my role as Chair in Common of Barts Health and BHRUT with immediate effect. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with all of you and I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together.

Jacqui will take up her new ministerial post, 15 years after she was last in political office as the country’s first female Home Secretary. During her earlier Westminster career Jacqui was briefly an education minister, holding the schools brief, before joining the Cabinet as Chief Whip.

Reacting to her appointment, Matthew Trainer, our Chief Executive, said:

It is great to see Jacqui’s experience, insight and commitment to public service being recognised. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with her and am grateful for having had the opportunity to learn from her.

Shane DeGaris, our Group Chief Executive, added:

We are enormously sad to lose Jacqui and have benefitted greatly from her experience and skills, but we wish her well in her new role.

Any decision about who will replace her, and when, will be a matter for discussion with NHS England, which is responsible for appointing all trust chairs, and the North East London Integrated Care Board.

Mehboob Khan, our Vice Chair, will be our Acting Chair and his counterpart, Adam Sharples, will perform the same role at Barts Health.