Change to the Trust Executive Team

Steve McGuire, Director of Essentia, will step down from his role as an Executive Director of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust with effect from 30 September. 

Steve joined the Trust as its first Director of Capital, Estates and Facilities in 2003. He was the inspiration behind, and led, the creation of Essentia and of Essentia Trading (a wholly owned subsidiary of the Trust) which now have national and international reach.   

Amanda Pritchard, Chief Executive of Guy's and St Thomas', said: “Steve’s vision for Essentia, for its staff and the services they support, leave an important legacy.  His passionate commitment to improving the facilities and infrastructure of the Trust, as well as his wider contribution to the NHS, have been an inspiration to us all and have helped to transform the experience of our patients.”

Steve said: “While it has been an incredibly difficult decision to leave the NHS and the Trust, Essentia is in a good position and now is the right time for me to move on and to explore new opportunities both nationally and internationally.

“I have had a fantastic time and I am extremely proud of what we have been able to achieve over the past 14 years, particularly the way in which we have created such energy and ambition among the teams in Essentia. 

“From the school leavers and young people who have been able to find training opportunities and employment to the highly skilled professionals required to deliver modern healthcare from such a complex estate, it has been a privilege to lead such talented and committed people.” 

Chairman of Guy's and St Thomas', Sir Hugh Taylor, said: “Steve has made an outstanding and distinctive contribution to the Board and to the Trust.  

“Although we will be very sorry to lose him, the development of Essentia, including the successful launch of its commercial arm Essentia Trading, to which Steve has made a significant personal contribution, and the consequent changes to its organisation, mean that Steve leaves a wonderful legacy on which we can build.  We all wish him well for the future”.

Under Steve’s leadership, Essentia has reached out into the local community to recruit and train staff in the wide range of roles and professions vital to the smooth running of the Trust’s services.  

Steve’s achievements also include the planning and successful delivery of one of the largest capital investment programmes in the NHS.  Major schemes in recent years range from the opening of Evelina London Children’s Hospital at St Thomas’ in 2005 and the Cancer Centre at Guy’s in 2016, both landmark buildings designed by internationally renowned architects with patient experience at their heart, to substantial infrastructure improvements to Guy’s Tower and East Wing at St Thomas’.

Arrangements to recruit Steve’s successor as Director of Essentia will commence shortly.