OUH Chair appointed to new regional NHS role

Professor Sir Jonathan Montgomery, who has been Chair of Oxford University Hospitals (OUH) since April 2019, will be stepping down from the Trust Board on Tuesday 31 March following his appointment to a new regional NHS role – this was announced on Thursday 19 March.

Jonathan has been appointed as NHS England South East Regional Chair, following an open and competitive appointment process. He will take up his new role on Wednesday 1 April.

Anne Eden, Regional Director for NHS England in the South East, said: "This appointment strengthens leadership across the region. Jonathan brings the experience, independence and judgement needed to support Chairs and systems, and to reinforce public confidence in the stewardship of NHS services."

In a personal message to all OUH staff, Jonathan said: "It has been a privilege and a pleasure to be Chair of OUH for the past seven years. OUH is a truly remarkable place with shared values and a OneTeamOneOUH approach which is at the heart of everything we do.

"It has been my good fortune to meet many of you and to hear about the amazing things which happen every day to transform people's lives across the Trust. 

"Thank you for your support, but above all for the work that you do to provide excellent services to our patients.

"My term of office as OUH Chair was due to end in March 2027 and so preparations for recruiting my replacement were already well underway. The process for recruitment of a new substantive Chair for the Trust will now be accelerated and in the meantime Sarah Hordern, currently Vice-Chair, will be stepping up to the role of Acting Chair."

Professor Meghana Pandit, OUH's substantive Chief Executive Officer, will continue her secondment to NHS England until October 2026 following her appointment to a new role as a Deputy CEO of NHS England – this was announced on Thursday 19 March.

Meghana has been Co-National Medical Director – Secondary Care since April 2025 when her secondment to NHS England started.

In addition, with effect from Wednesday 1 April, Meghana will spend around 50% of her time in her NHS England role while the other 50% will be spent back with OUH.

Simon Crowther, who has been Interim Chief Executive Officer since Meghana began her 18-month secondment with NHS England in April 2025, will continue in this role until October 2026.