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The Council of Governors of Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has appointed Professor Meghana Pandit as the Trust’s permanent Chief Executive Officer who will step into the role on 1 March, 2023.

Pandit was appointed to the post on a fixed term basis in July 2022 and has now been appointed permanently following a rigorous and competitive process which concluded after an extensive national and international recruitment search, including international applicants.

The interview panel held on Monday 13 February included the Trust’s Chair, Professor Sir Jonathan Montgomery, two other Non-Executive Directors and Lead Governor, and also the Chair of the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board (BOB ICB) and the Regional Director for NHS England’s South East region.

All members of the interview panel unanimously agreed that Meghana was the preferred candidate for appointment and this recommendation was approved at a meeting of the Council of Governors on Wednesday 15 February.

Pandit has become the Trust’s first female CEO and also the first person of colour to be appointed as the CEO of any NHS trust in the Shelford Group, which represents some of the biggest teaching hospitals in the country.

Professor Sir Jonathan Montgomery, Chair of Oxford University Hospitals, said, “I am delighted that Meghana has now been appointed to the CEO role on a permanent basis and I am looking forward to working with her personally in what promises to be an exciting new era under her leadership.

“She gave an outstanding interview which demonstrated her preparation, passion, and  esire to take on the role of Chief Executive Officer on a permanent basis.

“Meghana has a strong focus on staff engagement and building the patient voice into the strategic development of the Trust and her approach is strongly aligned with our Trust values and with our vision of delivering compassionate excellence to our patients.”

Professor Meghana Pandit, the newly appointed permanent Chief Executive Officer of Oxford University Hospitals, added, “It is a privilege to be asked to lead OUH on a permanent basis and I look forward to continue working with colleagues at OUH, our partners in the health and social care system in Oxfordshire and across the BOB Integrated Care System, our partner Universities, and Oxford Hospitals Charity, to ensure the highest quality of research and innovation enabled care for our patients and populations.

“I am proud to have the opportunity to continue leading with compassion and respect for others, with a desire for excellence.”