Islington Tribune - by PAUL KIELTHY Published: 4 January 2008
Sir Robert Naylor
Hospitals pioneer is knighted
A PIONEER of foundation trust hospitals was knighted in the New Year Honours List. Robert Naylor, 58, chief executive of UCLH since 2000, was awarded the knighthood for services to healthcare.
Sir Robert, who lives in Chester Terrace, Regent’s Park, steered the seven historic hospitals in the trust into foundation status in 2004 before overseeing the construction of UCLH’s new building in Euston Road, which was opened by the Queen in October 2005.
He had earlier advised the think-tank under then health secretary Alan Milburn which devised the foundation trusts concept.
Sir Robert said he was surprised and honoured by the award.
He said foundation status had been crucial to achieve “greater autonomy from the red tape and bureaucracy of the Department of Health”.
Sir Robert added: “UCLH has got a fantastic history going back hundreds of years, and this award is recognition of the contribution made by everyone who works at the trust.
“Our extreme achievement is in research and development, and the role we play in translating those discoveries.”