Louise Stead

Louise Stead is Group Chief Executive of Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust. She became Group Chief Executive of Queen Victoria Hospital in October 2026, extending her Group Chief Executive role across all three trusts as part of the strategic partnership.

Louise qualified as a registered nurse in 1988 and had a varied clinical career across a number of specialties in London teaching hospitals. She became Chief Executive of Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust in 2018, having previously held roles including Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Nursing. In January 2025, she was appointed Group Chief Executive of Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust and Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Louise has an MSc in Professional Practice (Leadership and Management), is a Visiting Professor at the University of Surrey and a specialist advisor to the Care Quality Commission, participating in well-led reviews at other NHS trusts.

Alongside her trust leadership roles, Louise holds a number of regional and national positions. She chairs the Surrey and Sussex Cancer Alliance, co-chairs the National Cancer Alliance Leadership Forum, represents acute providers on the national Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce chaired by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, and sits on the national Cancer Board.

Louise is passionate about putting patients at the heart of decision-making and the impact that good leadership can have on clinical outcomes.

Page updated: 12 October 2026.