News

We are delighted to announce that Nicola Longson will be joining CSH Surrey as our new chief operating officer (COO) on 1 June 2026. Nicola will become a key member of our executive team, reporting directly to chief executive Renée Padfield.

NHS Leadership Experience

Nicola joins us with an impressive background in NHS leadership, spanning operations, corporate, and commissioning roles. She is currently the deputy chief strategy and transformation officer at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

Her extensive operational experience includes leading clinical services across physical health, mental health and acute care, makes her a versatile leader well-suited to our diverse healthcare environment.

Nicola is a collaborative, systems-focused leader, who excels at bringing teams and partner organisations together. Her leadership style is defined by a commitment to designing integrated, person-centred care that prioritises the needs of local communities. She is a strong advocate for seeing the ‘big picture’ to create shared solutions that improve outcomes for both staff and service users.

What is she passionate about?

One of Nicola’s core passions is workforce development. She has previously led an award-winning apprenticeship programme and is dedicated to empowering staff through growth and new career pathways. Furthermore, Nicola has a keen interest in leveraging digital technologies to help alleviate workforce pressures and enhance the daily lives of healthcare professionals and patients alike.

Please join us in offering Nicola a very warm welcome to CSH Surrey, when she arrives in June.