Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust appoints new Chief People Officer

A new Chief People Officer has been appointed at Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust (HCT) as the current Director of People Alison Ryder retires at the end of May. 

Marcus Riddell will join HCT on July 1, 2024, from Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust where he has most recently been Interim Chief People Officer.

Previously he served as Deputy Chief People Officer/Director of Workforce and Senior Director for Organisational Development.

He brings a wide range of experience to HCT, having spent his career in the UK Government and NHS, with a series of roles combining policy, operational and commercial expertise.

His recent roles in healthcare have centred on workforce strategy and transformation, covering areas including supply, safety, culture, and inequalities.

He also has a keen interest in personal development and career progression, particularly for underrepresented groups.

Marcus is also the former Chairperson of Kori, a community charity in north London that provides services for disadvantaged children. 

Elliot Howard Jones, chief executive at HCT, said: “I am delighted that Marcus is joining HCT in this key role for the Trust.

“He brings a wealth of experience and skills with him, and as a leader can help identify and develop future talent to build our workforce now and for the future, including from the local communities we serve as a community trust.”

He added: “Our workforce plays a vital role in delivering, or supporting the delivery of, the high-quality services we provide and with them we are committed to continue developing HCT as ‘a great place to work.

“Under Marcus’s leadership I have no doubt we will achieve this. I’d like to say a huge thank you to our outgoing Director of People Alison Ryder for her years of service in her role leading our People directorate.

“She will be greatly missed, and the rest of the Executive team and I wish her all the very best for the future.” 

Alison Ryder, Director of People who is leaving at the end of May, said: “I feel very privileged to have spent the last 12 years of my 30-year NHS career at HCT and would like to thank all my fantastic colleagues for their support. I’ve been very proud to lead the People Directorate and help shape the Trust’s compassionate and inclusive culture. I’m delighted to see Marcus appointed and to pass this responsibility into his very safe and capable hands.”

Speaking about his appointment, Marcus said: “I am delighted to be joining HCT. The Trust’s desire to provide the very best care for patients and service users is underpinned by strong core values and consistent efforts to ensure staff are looked after, developed, and supported to thrive.

"I am also firmly committed to ensuring that the Board’s desire to improve equity, diversity and inclusion across the organisation is realised. The outgoing Director of People, Alison Ryder, has done a fantastic job and I look forward to taking on the mantle of making HCT one of the best places to work.”