The West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (WSFT) has appointed its interim chief finance and chief people officers to their roles permanently following a competitive recruitment process.
Jonathan Rowell secures the long-term role of overseeing the Trust’s financial performance while Julie Hull will lead the people, culture and communications directorate (previously called workforce and communications).
Jonathan Rowell joined the Trust in July 2024 on a 12-month secondment from NHS England (NHSE) to help the Trust recover its financial position. Formerly director of finance for specialised commissioning at NHSE, Jonathan has worked for the NHS for 27 years, spending most of his career in hospitals, working at Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in London for nine years and then Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) for five years.
Jonathan said: “While there has been a lot to do in my initial year with the Trust to lead it through a challenging financial period, we have made enormous progress, and it is testament to the hard work of colleagues across the organisation as to how far we have come. It’s my pleasure to continue working for this much-loved Trust and getting us back to a sustainable financial footing so we can fulfil our future potential remains my focus.”
Julie Hull, an experienced NHS HR and organisational development practitioner, has been the Trust’s interim chief people office since June 2025. Previously the interim chief people officer at Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, Julie said: “I’m delighted to have secured the permanent chief people officer role with WSFT. I’m excited about the opportunities ahead and working closely with colleagues to deliver the best possible working environment where current and prospective colleagues can thrive and succeed in their roles.”
Dr Ewen Cameron, chief executive of WSFT, said: “I’m pleased to share that both Jonathan and Julie have been successful in securing their roles with the Trust’s executive team. They have each been instrumental during their time with us in developing our financial and people strategies and their knowledge, experience and insight is a real asset to the organisation.
“They are leading critical areas for us at a time where supporting colleagues through change and transformation and achieving financial sustainability are a key focus.”