Board and executive changes ahead for Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust

Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust has announced upcoming Board and executive changes as current tenures come to an end and has set out simple plans to ensure a smooth transition in the months ahead.

Dr Jackie Craissati, Trust Chair, who was appointed in 2021, will leave later this year as her tenure comes to an end. Her term was extended to June 2026 to allow a smooth handover. Recruitment for the new chair is already underway.

Peter Conway, who has served the trust as Non-Executive Director (NED) and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee, reaches the end of his tenure on 31 March. A new NED has been appointed and is expected to take up post on 1 April 2026.

Dr Mary Ann Ferreux will also leave the trust at the end of March, with recruitment for a Clinical NED underway. 

NHS England has approved an extension for Kim Lowe, Chair of the People Committee, until October 2027, supporting ongoing collaboration with Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust, where she also serves on the Board.

Further changes will follow at the end of July 2026, when Sean Bone Knell, Chair of the Mental Health Act Committee and the Charitable Funds Committee, and Mickola Wilson, Chair of the Finance, Business and Investment Committee complete their tenures. 

Within the executive team, Sandra Goatley, Chief People Officer, is set to retire on 10 April, with her successor joining on a 12 month fixed term from 23 March to ensure a full handover. 

Following the secondment of Andy Cruikshank, Chief Nurse for the trust, to the neighbourhood team in Kent and Medway in January this year, Julie Kirby is now Interim Chief Nurse until the post is advertised substantively later this year.

To support delivery of the trust’s new 5-year strategy, Kindra Hyttner, Director of Communications and Engagement has taken on strategy as part of her portfolio, and a new fixed term Director of Programme Delivery will be appointed to lead 4 major programmes to ensure delivery of key trust-wide programmes. These include the delivery of the quality plan and the continuation of the transforming of community services, leading into the system agenda of integrated neighbourhood health.  

Sheila Stenson, Chief Executive of Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust paid tribute to Dr Jackie Craissati and the departing Board members, recognising the leadership they have provided during an exceptionally challenging period for mental health services in Kent and Medway. 

She said: “Their inspirational support has helped the organisation navigate rising demand, increasing complexity in patient need, and the wider pressures facing the NHS.” 

During their tenure, the trust has delivered meaningful progress, achieving financial balance through uncertain times, reducing waiting times in community services despite significant increases in referrals, and major improvements in dementia diagnosis, moving from one of the poorest performing trusts to one of the best in the country.

Sheila added: “This is a significant moment for our trust, and I want to begin by thanking Dr Jackie Craissati and departing non-executive and executive members for their leadership, dedication and committed support over the years. Their commitment has helped guide us through a period of rising demand, increasing complexity and national pressure, while still enabling us to deliver real improvements for the people we serve.

“These are not small achievements. They reflect meaningful progress across our services, and I want to reassure patients, partners and staff that we have strong plans in place to ensure continuity and the smooth running of the trust throughout this transition. Our focus remains firmly on delivering safe, compassionate care every day.”

Further, Sheila commented: “I would also like to put on record my formal thanks to Sandra Goatley, who will retire as Chief People Officer in April, after 10 years of dedicated service to the trust. We wish her all the very best for the future.”

As demand continues to grow across Kent and Medway, driven by an ageing population, rising levels of deprivation and increasingly complex needs, the trust is working to adapt its services and strengthen the way it listens to and works alongside our staff, patients, carers and partners. 

The new leadership team will be crucial in helping to shape a modern, collaborative mental health trust that is responsive to local need and rooted in the voices of the communities it serves.

Sheila added: “I am confident that the next phase of leadership will build on the progress already made. Together, we will continue to evolve, respond to rising need and deliver the standard of care the people of Kent and Medway deserve.”