Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust appoints interim chief people officer

Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust has appointed Ali Layne-Smith interim chief people officer.

Layne-Smith will work with Sandra Goatley, who steps down to retire on 10 April after 10 years with the trust, to ensure a smooth transition.

She has senior leadership experience from across the NHS, policing, central government and global industries, and is a non-executive director at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Layne-Smith has previously held senior roles including director of people and culture at London Ambulance Service, director of people and organisational development at West Midlands Police, and most recently interim chief people officer at Salisbury District Hospital.

The trust decided to appoint on an interim basis to allow time to plan for a longer-term substantive appointment and deliver stability during wider system and national workforce changes.

Sheila Stenson, chief executive of Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust, said: “Ali brings deep experience of culture change and workforce transformation in some of the most complex environments in the public sector. Her leadership will be a huge asset as we move into the next phase of our improvement journey and continue strengthening the support we offer to our people and communities.

“We are grateful to Sandra Goatley for her dedication and loyalty over the past 10 years. She has been an inspirational, dedicated and compassionate leader through an exceptionally demanding period for the NHS, and we wish her a long and happy retirement.”