Cara Charles-Barks, Chief Executive

Cara has been Chief Executive of Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust since November 2024.

She is also Chief Executive of BSW Hospitals Group, which is made up of our Trust along with the Royal United Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust.

Cara qualified as a Registered Nurse in 1990 in Australia. She has 30 years’ experience in the public and private health care sector and has been named as one of the NHS's top 50 Chief Executives six times.

Cara received an MBE as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours for her leadership of Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust during the Novichok incident.

In June 2019, she was appointed Honorary Colonel of 243 Multi-role Medical Regiment, part of the Army Medical Services.

Simon Wade, Acting Managing Director

Simon was appointed as the Trust's Chief Financial Officer in November 2020.

He joined the Trust from Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust, where he was Deputy Director of Finance.

Simon is responsible for developing a strategy that ensures that the Trust's financial resources are used in the most efficient and effective way, to ensure a high quality patient service.

He is also responsible for our capital investment programme and for ensuring that the estate is fit for purpose and meets the needs of the Trust's strategy.

Emily Beardshall, Acting Chief Improvement and Partnerships Officer

Emily joined the Trust in November 2022 as the Deputy Director, Improvement & Partnerships and was appointed as Acting Chief Improvement and Partnerships Officer in June 2025.

Emily has extensive experience as a Divisional Director and operational manager as well as Integrated Care Board experience leading quality improvement and delivering large scale transformation.

Emily leads our Trust Improvement approach, Improving Together, putting staff and patients at the heart of improving care, every day. Emily is passionate about working with partners and our population to promote safe, joined up and high quality care.

Luisa Goddard, Chief Nurse

Luisa was appointed Chief Nurse in December 2024 after being Deputy Chief Nurse at the Trust for over three years. Having trained at Guy’s Hospital, Luisa brings senior nursing experience from Oxford University Hospitals NHS FT and North Bristol NHS Trust.

Luisa's focus is on delivering high quality safe care, encompassing quality, risk, safeguarding and infection prevention and control.

As professional lead for Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professionals, Luisa ensures the Trust has a dynamic, forward-thinking workforce that can deliver great care.

Benny Goodman, Chief Operating Officer

Benny was appointed Chief Operating Officer in November 2024 having worked in operational roles at both the Royal Berkshire NHS FT and Oxford University Hospitals NHS FT.

He joined the NHS in 2018, having first trained as an accountant in a professional services firm, then helping to start, and rapidly grow, a social enterprise, during which he developed his understanding of leadership-based clear vision and strong values born out through day-to-day interactions.

Benny is passionate about supporting all staff to do the best job they can and to be equipped to innovate effectively so that our patients benefit from the highest quality care we can deliver.

Jude Gray, Chief People Officer

Jude was appointed as the Trust's Chief People Officer in July 2019.

In this role she is responsible for all aspects of workforce planning, sustainability and health and wellbeing.

She oversees the recruitment of staff and managing strategic staffing planning and will serve as a link between the Trust and its employees. Jude previously worked for the BBC and Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service.

Dr Steve Haig, Acting Chief Medical Officer

Stephen joined the trust as a Consultant Emergency Physician in 2011, and was appointed as Acting Chief Medical Officer in January 2024.

He has had a variety of leadership roles including clinical lead of the Emergency Department, Associate Medical Director for the Unscheduled Care division, and Deputy Chief Medical Officer.

He believes in high quality, safe, patient centred services that are driven by the principles of the NHS.

Jonathan Hinchliffe, Interim Chief Transformation and Innovation Officer

*Bio coming soon*