Suzanne Rankin joins Cardiff and Vale University Health Board as Chief Executive

Today (1 February) Suzanne Rankin joins Cardiff and Vale University Health Board as Chief Executive, taking over the reins from Professor Stuart Walker.

Suzanne was formerly Chief Executive of Ashford and St. Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, first joining the Trust as Chief Nurse in 2010 before becoming Chief Executive in 2014.

Suzanne has provided strategic leadership to a talented and diverse multi-disciplinary team in the provision of acute and specialist care to the people of Northwest Surrey and beyond taking steps to improve infrastructure and embracing technology to enable the Trust’s strategy. 

As part of this role, Suzanne led the Trust’s work as a key partner in the North West Surrey Integrated Health and Care Partnership with a focus on addressing the wider determinants of health and wellbeing and supporting the development of thriving communities, relationships and resilience. She has also been instrumental in co-creating the "right" culture, enabling the delivery of the very highest quality care with a focus on continuous learning, development, and improvement.  

A programme of engagement events and activities has been developed by Cardiff and Vale University Health Board where Suzanne will be meeting as many staff, patients and partners as possible over her first 30 days and beyond.  

Chair of Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, Charles (Jan) Janczewski said: “I am delighted that Suzanne is joining us at Cardiff and Vale UHB. Suzanne brings comprehensive experience of working across a range of NHS environments including national and local leadership roles, with a proven track for performance delivery and financial management.  

“Suzanne’s very strong interest in working with our staff to continue improving the quality and safety of our excellent clinical services is a key factor in her appointment, but equally important is her community-oriented approach and commitment to improving population health and reducing health inequalities. 

“The Board and I recognise Suzanne as an outstanding leader who is well equipped to steer the organisation through this pivotal period of recovery alongside the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, managing significant pressure and continuing to deliver essential services for our population.  

“It is the strength, dedication and commitment of our leaders that enable our talented workforce to face those challenges and serve our communities; not only in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan but across the NHS in Wales.” 

Commenting on her appointment to the role of Chief Executive of Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, Suzanne Rankin said: “It’s been an honour and a privilege to work alongside my colleagues at Ashford and St Peter’s who have supported my growth and development as leader, lifted my spirits in tough times and made me proud and humble to be a member of Team ASPH each and every day. 

“Building on the depth and breadth of experience I have had I’m delighted to be able to take my next career step with my appointment to CVUHB. I’m inspired by the Health Board’s strategy and excited by the opportunity to build relationships and opportunities with new colleagues and new partners and to continue the great work already underway to care for the people of Cardiff and Vale and work with them and others to keep them well.” 

Suzanne started her nursing and management career with the Royal Navy, Queen Alexandra’s Royal Naval Nursing Service qualifying as a Registered General Nurse in 1990. Following attendance at Britannia Royal Naval College Suzanne commissioned and continued to serve at home and overseas including a number of operational deployments.   

Suzanne graduated with an MA in Defence Studies following Advanced Command and Staff training from the Joint Services Command and Staff College in 2005 and was appointed to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) within the Defence Medical Services Directorate. She provided staff support and advice to the Defence Nursing Advisor and the Surgeon General on nursing strategy, leadership and professional matters.   

In 2008, Suzanne departed the Royal Navy to embark upon a career in the NHS and joined NHS South Central Strategic Health Authority as Deputy Chief Nurse within the Clinical Standards Directorate, before starting her career at Ashford and St Peter’s NHS Foundation Trust.