Kings Fund names next chief executive

Asthma + Lung UK’s chief executive Sarah Woolnough has been appointed to lead The King’s Fund.

She will join the health and care charity as CEO in January next year, replacing Richard Murray, who is stepping down in November after four years in the role.

Woolnough has led Asthma + Lung UK since 2020 and is a previous executive director of policy, information, and communications at Cancer Research UK, where she spent almost 16 years in policy roles.

She was also a board trustee of the Association of Medical Research Charities for six years until 2017 and in 2010 was seconded to the Department of Health to help the coalition government develop its national cancer strategy.

Her other roles including chairing the Healthy Air Campaign and she is co-chair of the NHS England National Respiratory Delivery Board.

She said her appointment comes as health and care services “face challenges on multiple fronts”.

“But alongside the many challenges, there are significant opportunities to shape the national debate on the future of health and social care and to bring about improvements to services,” she said.

“The King’s Fund has a vital role to play in providing independent, authoritative policy analysis, supporting leaders in the system, and bringing people together to find sustainable solutions to the biggest challenges facing health and care.”

King’s Fund chair Ajay Kakkar added: “She has considerable experience in the health and care sector and has delivered substantial achievement and impact for patients, the public and the organisations she has served through her thoughtful and imaginative leadership.

“I am confident that under Sarah, The King’s Fund will make further strides towards its vision that the best possible health and care is available to all.”