Susanne Given to step down as Foundation Chair

Guy’s & St Thomas’ Foundation announces today that Susanne Given will step down as our Chair of the Board of Trustees later this year, after more than five years of service to the organisation. We are extremely grateful for her leadership, guidance and commitment during her time as Trustee and Chair.

Susanne joined the Foundation as a Trustee in October 2021 and became Chair in April 2023. Leading the Foundation through a period of significant change, Susanne has supported the unification of our work under a single organisational vision and has helped us to set ambitious goals for the next ten years. Central to that vision has been bringing our fundraising team in-house and embedding our dual mandate – a commitment to delivering financial returns alongside positive health, social and environmental impacts – which has become the defining approach to how we manage our Endowment.

Under Susanne’s leadership, our family of charities has progressed several major projects, including once-in-a-generation plans for a renewed children and young people’s hospital programme at Evelina London. Other projects include the new children’s day surgery at Evelina London Children’s Hospital and the introduction of advanced radiotherapy equipment for Guy’s Cancer patients with multiple brain tumours.

Susanne has also injected new energy into SC1 London, the health and life sciences innovation district in South Central London, while Impact on Urban Health has taken major strides and influenced policy at local and national levels. Highlights include research on the benefits of free, healthy primary school meals which influenced the Mayor of London’s decision to extend free school meals to all primary school pupils in the capital and later the government’s decision to do so for all UK children living in homes receiving Universal Credit.

Susanne is stepping down as she takes on new roles in the commercial sector, building on her extensive experience in retail, consumer goods, digital growth and organisational transformation. She will continue to support the Board during the recruitment of a new Chair, ensuring a smooth transition and continuity of governance.

Susanne Given said:

“Serving as Chair of Guy’s & St Thomas’ Foundation has been an immense privilege. Together we have strengthened our focus on health equity, supported thousands of NHS staff and patients, used our Endowment more deliberately to deliver health impact, and helped build momentum behind major health innovation initiatives such as SC1 London. Most importantly, this has been achieved in partnership with communities, hospitals, donors and organisations who share the belief that everyone should have the opportunity to live a healthier life.

“I would like to thank my fellow Trustees, Laurie and the Executive Team, and colleagues across the Foundation and our partners, for their commitment, insight and energy. I leave confident in the Foundation’s future and grateful to have played a part in its work.”

Laurie Lee, Chief Executive of Guy’s & St Thomas’ Foundation, said:

“On behalf of everyone at the Foundation, I would like to thank Susanne for her leadership, commitment and wise counsel. She has expertly chaired the Board through a period of change while keeping focus on our mission and our responsibility to the communities we serve.

“Susanne has brought a unique combination of commercial experience, strategic clarity and personal commitment to the role. We are extremely grateful for all she has done and wish her every success in her new roles.”