15 May 2026

Suzanne Rankin, Chief Executive Officer at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board (UHB), has announced she will be leaving the Health Board towards the end of the summer after over four years leading the organisation. Suzanne will be taking up a role in her home county as Chief Executive Officer at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

Suzanne joined Cardiff and Vale UHB at a critical time for the organisation as the recovery from the pandemic was just beginning.

Kirsty Williams, Chair of Cardiff and Vale UHB, said: “I would like to extend my thanks and gratitude to Suzanne for her leadership and commitment to delivering improvements to healthcare for people in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, and across Wales.

“In her time with the organisation, Suzanne has engaged colleagues and partners to refresh the long-term direction of the Health Board through the Shaping Our Future Wellbeing Strategy, building a plan towards a sustainable future. Suzanne has worked alongside colleagues to address cultural and workforce challenges, strengthening partnerships and collaborative working and bringing a strengthened focus on the quality of care through the Shaping Our Future Quality Excellence programme. She has led a number of national precision medicine programmes and enthusiastically supported the founding of Cardiff Health Partners, creating a vehicle for accelerated innovation, research, learning and population health improvements.

“Suzanne’s values - which are significantly influenced by her early career in nursing - have shaped the way she leads, putting colleagues, patients, service users, families and carers at the heart of decision making.”

“I will be working closely with Suzanne, the Board and Welsh Government to make arrangements for a smooth transition.”

Suzanne Rankin, Chief Executive Officer of Cardiff and Vale UHB, said: “I am and remain immensely humbled and grateful for the kindness, professionalism and commitment of colleagues across the Health Board. It’s been a great privilege to be a member of Cardiff and Vale UHB team and I feel great pride in the work of colleagues, volunteers and partners across the Health Board and particularly in the many achievements and improvements that have been achieved through the hard work and determination of so many in the face of significant and on-going challenges.

“The Health Board is incredibly diverse, in the services it delivers, its workforce and its population. It is this diversity alongside deep expertise and compassion that are the strengths of the organisation - these will continue to be the cornerstone of future successes and progress in the delivery of the ambitions and achievements that I’m confident will come. I remain committed to my leadership role and will continue with my work and focus until my departure.

“Cardiff and Vale UHB will always have a special place in my heart, and I will miss the warmth and kindness of the Welsh people and culture. I’m especially grateful to the Chair Kirsty Williams, Board and executive colleagues, and the Strategic Leadership Team for your support and leadership during my tenure. Diolch yn fawr, my thanks to you all.”

Suzanne is expected to take up her new post as Chief Executive Officer at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust in September 2026. Further information on future leadership arrangements will be shared in due course.