This is a significant appointment for Edwin and one that further strengthens the close relationship between our two organisations. ELFT and NELFT share a Joint Chair, Eileen Taylor, and already work closely together in partnership across a range of areas.
Edwin has played a pivotal role in ELFT's operational and strategic leadership, helping to strengthen services while ensuring service users, carers, communities and colleagues remain at the heart of decision-making. During his time at the Trust, he has also become widely respected for his compassionate, inclusive leadership and for consistently demonstrating ELFT's values.
Edwin's departure date will be confirmed in due course. Recruitment to appoint a new Chief Operating Officer will begin shortly.
Lorraine Sunduza OBE, Chief Executive of East London NHS Foundation Trust, said:
"While we are incredibly proud of Edwin on this well-deserved appointment, he will be greatly missed across ELFT. Edwin has made an outstanding contribution to our Trust, leading significant operational and strategic progress while always putting our service users, carers, communities and colleagues first.
"What has always distinguished Edwin is the way he leads. He is a kind, compassionate and authentic leader who embodies our values of We Care, We Respect and We Are Inclusive. His humility, integrity and commitment to developing others have made a lasting difference to our organisation, and this appointment is a fitting recognition of his exceptional leadership. On behalf of everyone at ELFT, I congratulate Edwin and wish him every success in his new role."
Edwin Ndlovu MBE said:
"Leaving ELFT has not been an easy decision. As a mental health nurse, much of my career has been spent here and its greatest privilege has been the people, the service users and carers I have worked alongside over the years who have taught me more about good care than anything else, and the colleagues whose compassion and professionalism inspire me every day. Together we have shown that listening to the people we serve, working inclusively and treating one another with dignity is how you genuinely improve care for our communities.
I am honoured to be joining NELFT as Chief Executive. It is a good trust with a relational, compassionate culture and real ambition, serving communities I know and care about deeply. I'll start by listening but listening isn't waiting. From day one I will hold with purpose what can't wait and I will protect what's precious about NELFT's culture while I learn.
I also bring a clear commitment: to lead relationally and to deliver, because compassion and accountability are not opposites; to equity as a standard we measure rather than a sentiment we express; and to building strong, honest relationships with colleagues, partners and communities.
I leave ELFT with enormous pride and gratitude, and I join NELFT determined to build on its achievements and to help realise its ambitions for the people it serves."
Eileen Taylor, Joint Chair of ELFT and NELFT, said:
“I look forward to working with Edwin as we continue to build on our progress and deliver high-quality care for the people and communities we serve.
He has a clear passion for the areas that matter most to us at NELFT – including patient and carer involvement, clinical leadership and continuous quality improvement – and a strong commitment to our values. This was reflected in the feedback we received from colleagues during the recruitment process.”