Foluke Ajayi

Foluke is the Chief Executive of Airedale NHS Foundation Trust. Previously Director of Strategic Transformation in the Humber Coast & Vale Health and Care Partnership for NHS England and NHS Improvement. 

Prior to this, she worked as Chief Operating Officer at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust for five years. Foluke’s early career was as a Clinical Scientist in Audiology specialising in pediatrics and cochlear implants, following which she held senior roles in the Department of Health and NHS Employers. She has also held senior operational management roles at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust initially as Directorate Manager, after which she led their Cancer Centre as General Manager.

During her career in the NHS, Foluke has worked for provider, membership, regulatory and commissioning organisations in local and regional roles, as well as for national agencies.  She brings a wealth of knowledge and understanding of the changing NHS landscape and its implications for health, care, VCSE sectors and beyond.

Foluke has a keen interest and experience in workforce and people development; in particular in leadership development for everyone.  She is a champion for diversity, inclusivity and personalisation, strongly believing that every individual in an organisation is vital, wherever they work, whatever they do; bringing a richness to services for individuals and communities.