Leeds Hospitals Charity has announced Dr Yvette Oade CBE DL as their new Chair of Trustees. Yvette is taking on the role following the departure of Edward Ziff OBE DL, who recently stepped down after almost a decade as Chair. 

Yvette first joined the charity’s Board of Trustees as Deputy Chair in 2020, after she retired from her longstanding role as Chief Medical Officer at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

With a strong medical background, stemming from her time studying medicine at the University of Leeds, Yvette brings a wealth of knowledge and experience at the helm of our Board of Trustees. Yvette was also recognised with a CBE for services to women in the NHS in the 2023 New Year Honors List.

We spoke to Dr Oade about her appointment as Chair, she said:

“It was a privilege to work with Edward over the past three years, and I would like to say an enormous thank you to him, I have learnt a lot from his leadership that will be invaluable. I am delighted to take on the role of Chair, I have always had a strong connection to Leeds Teaching Hospitals, it was where I first practiced medicine, where my daughter was born, and where I reached a pinnacle of my medical career.”

“I have seen first-hand the impact charitable donations have made over the years. I view  this as a wonderful opportunity to continue to support staff working across our hospitals in Leeds to provide the best possible care and support to the people of Yorkshire, and beyond.”

Yvette hopes to continue the work of her predecessor Dr Ziff, who helped Leeds Hospitals Charity grow from strength to strength, with over £6.6 million of additional funding provided each year to fund projects above and beyond that which the NHS can provide.

We asked Yvette what she hopes the charity will achieve under her leadership, she told us:

“I want the charity to continue to grow and diversify, so we can become more representative of the patients and staff who benefit from initiatives we fund. I want to continue to raise awareness about the incredible difference donations make to people living across our region, particularly as the Government have recently approved plans to move forward with building a state-of-the-art Children’s Hospital here in Leeds.”

“Leeds Hospitals Charity is a charity for everyone, supporting staff, patients, and families across all eight NHS hospitals in Leeds. We will always ensure that donations are spent where they are needed most, whether it’s life-changing research or something small that makes a real difference, like more home comforts for patients.”

Esther Wakeman, Chief Executive of Leeds Hospitals Charity said:

“First of all, I want to express my gratitude to Edward for his dedication to the charity as our Chair since 2013. When I became CEO in February 2020, I could never have been prepared for what would come just weeks later with the outbreak of COVID-19. Edward’s guidance and support during this unprecedented time was indispensable. Edward has been at the forefront of the charity’s success and transformation over the years, and he will be missed by all of us at Leeds Hospitals Charity.”

“I’m delighted that Yvette has taken on the role of Chair, as she brings a wealth of experience in the NHS and understands the challenges our hospitals currently face. Yvette’s passion will help us shape the charity so we can stand alongside NHS staff in Leeds to support them in delivering world-class care. It is an exciting time for Yvette to be Chairing the charity as we continue to fundraise for the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Appeal and plan our next Capital Appeal for the new Children’s Hospital in Leeds.”