Nigerian-born British nurse appointed CEO of the largest mental health trust in the UK
Fellow Nurses Africa (FNA) News – 20 November 2025
A Nigerian-born nurse who began his career on a psychiatric ward in south London more than three decades ago has been appointed interim chief executive of the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM), the UK’s largest specialist mental health trust.
Ade Odunlade, 54, will assume the role on 1 December 2025, succeeding David Bradley, who retires after 43 years of distinguished service in the NHS.
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Mr Odunlade joined SLaM as chief operating officer in November 2023, having previously held senior leadership positions at Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust and Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
In the past two years he has been instrumental in stabilising the trust’s finances, transforming community mental health services, and enhancing support for frontline clinical staff.
Trust chair Jane Bailey praised Mr Odunlade’s compassionate and inclusive leadership style, saying:
“Having worked closely with Ade, I have seen first-hand his unwavering commitment to patients and staff. He is the right person to lead the trust through this next important phase.”
Mr Odunlade started his NHS journey in 1993 as a registered mental health nurse on Eileen Skellern Ward 2 at the Maudsley Hospital in Denmark Hill – part of the very trust he will now lead. Over the subsequent three decades he has risen through clinical, operational, and executive roles across public and independent sectors.
Speaking on his appointment, Mr Odunlade said he felt “deeply honoured” to return to the organisation where his career began.
“It is a privilege to lead a trust with such a rich history in mental health care and research,” he said. “My priority will be to work alongside our dedicated staff and partners to continue delivering high-quality, compassionate care to the communities we serve.”
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust provides comprehensive mental health services to more than 1.3 million people across the London boroughs of Croydon, Lambeth, Lewisham, and Southwark, as well as nationally renowned specialist services including the Bethlem Royal Hospital.
The appointment has been hailed as a landmark moment for African and Black leadership in the British healthcare system.
Recruitment for a permanent chief executive is expected to commence in 2026.
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Source – South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM)
