Ben Richards

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT BEN RICHARDS

A highly accomplished Chief Operating Officer with a strong record of delivering safe, high quality and financially sustainable services across complex and specialist environments with a demonstrated history of working in the hospital & health care industry, currently working as a Chief Operating Officer in a CQC Outstanding rated Trust which was also rated the Number 1 non-acute Trust in England in the first NHS ‘league tables’ in September 2025 and achieved No 1 again in the next update. I provide decisive operational and strategic leadership, ensuring the consistent delivery of constitutional standards, regulatory compliance, and robust performance management across large, diverse portfolios. Skilled in navigating challenging operational pressures, I lead major transformation programmes that strengthen patient pathways, improve flow and productivity, and enhance workforce capability while maintaining a clear focus on safety, quality and patient experience.I build high performing, values driven cultures, fostering collaboration and accountability at every level. My leadership is grounded in inclusive practice, compassionate governance and a commitment to tackling health inequalities. With extensive system leadership experience—including oversight of mental health, learning disability and autism services across an Integrated Care System—I drive system wide integration, partnership working and long term service redesign. I also bring significant expertise in emergency preparedness, resilience and response, and have contributed to national regulatory improvement as a CQC Executive Reviewer. I am committed to enabling organisations to deliver outstanding care, strengthen operational resilience and achieve sustained, measurable improvement for the populations they serve.In addition to the \'day job\' also undertaking a Professional Doctorate in Health and Social Care at the Open University where I also sit on the Academic Senate.