Boss of England's largest NHS trust to retire from Manchester's major hospitals

One of the most influential and long-serving chief executives in the NHS has announced his retirement. Sir Michael Deegan has spent more than 20 years at the helm of what has now become the country's largest NHS trust.

Sir Mike has overseen the huge expansion of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), which formed in October 2017 following the merger of Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust. The trust now runs a host of the region's major hospitals and health services.

It's roster includes Manchester Royal Infirmary, the Royal Manchester Children's, Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, Saint Mary's Hospital, University Dental Hospital, Wythenshawe Hospital, North Manchester General, Trafford General, Withington Community Hospital and Altrincham Hospital.

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Sir Mike Deegan, Group Chief Executive of MFT, is to step down in the early part of 2023, it was announced today. Sir Mike sent a personal email to the trust’s 28,000 staff to announce the move.

The statement read: "I am writing to let you know I will be stepping down as MFT’s CEO in the early part of 2023. I have been our CEO for well over 20 years and have felt hugely privileged and fortunate to be part of our team each and every day.

"However, I feel the time is now approaching – with the huge opportunities brought about by HIVE, our burgeoning research/BRC platform and the re-shaping of many of our services to deliver our recovery programmes – to allow a new CEO to shape this strategic and delivery agenda for the next period of MFT’s