NHS chief to step down from Greater Manchester trust

Karen Howell OBE, who has spent two years at GMMH, will step down in June 2026.

She has spent 46 years working across the health and care sector and will work with the trust chair on a recruitment process for her successor.

She joined GMMH in June 2024 after work in the Wirral.

Ms Howell said: “It has been a privilege to be the CEO of GMMH and I believe it is now time for someone else to take the organisation forward in its ambition to be an excellent provider of healthcare, a great place to work and build further its internationally established reputation as a leader in the field of research and innovation.

“After over 46 years of national, regional and local health and care service, it is time for me to take a break and focus on my loved ones and my life outside of the NHS.

“Like very many people working across the public sector, my loved ones and indeed myself have had to come a close second for a too long.

“I’m looking forward to seeing what the future holds.”

During her tenure, Ms Howell supported the trust’s exit from the national Recovery Support Programme.

She also led key improvements, including the appointment of a new board, restructuring governance, and reopening secure forensic mental health services.

Tony Warne, chair of GMMH, said: “Karen has been a transformational leader, a wonderful colleague and it’s been a real privilege to work alongside her on our improvement journey.”

Professor Colin Scales, acting CEO of NHS Greater Manchester, said: “Karen has had an exceptional career and she has brought a level of energy, determination and passion to the CEO role at GMMH that sets her apart from most other leaders.

“Karen will be an enormous loss to the NHS leadership community, to Greater Manchester and to GMMH.

“It has been a privilege to work alongside her and I will miss her.”