Trust chair John Lawlor to step down

John Lawlor, chair of the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, is to step down from his role at the end of this November.

As chair, John has led the organisation for over three years.

John said:

I am proud of what we’ve collectively achieved over the past three years, most significantly work to secure the future of our clinical and educational services through our plans to identify and secure a merger partner. Our planned merger by acquisition with North London NHS Foundation Trust will significantly enhance and strengthen children and adult mental health services in north London and establish the enlarged Trust as a leader in mental health research and education.

My tenure as chair has focused on quality and safety, improving waiting times, developing our new vision and values, strengthening our decision-making and the tackling our financial challenges and I will leave the Tavistock and Portman with a clear way forward that will benefit our patients, students, staff and wider community.

John has accepted the role close to home as chair at his local hospital and community trust in West Yorkshire, Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, which provides care to over 200,000 people in West Yorkshire and East Lancashire. He takes up that role this month.

Current vice chair Aruna Mehta will take on the role of chair on an interim basis from December 2025 until the merger between North London NHS Foundation Trust and Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust is completed. This is anticipated to take place by 1 April 2026.