Neil Macdonald, Chief Executive

Neil Macdonald joined as Chief Executive on 6 October 2025.

Neil has been Chief Executive with Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust since March 2018. Prior to this he was part of the Trust Board for 3 years as Chief Operating Officer.

Neil started his NHS career in Yorkshire as a National General Management Trainee in 2003, before joining Buckinghamshire in 2005. After leaving for a role at the Healthcare Commission and general management positions at Imperial and Guys and St. Thomas’ Trusts, he returned to Buckinghamshire in July 2013 as Deputy Chief Operating Officer for the Surgery and Critical Care Division.  Graduating from St. Anne’s College, Oxford with a modern history degree in 2000, Neil subsequently completed an MSc in Healthcare Management from the University of Birmingham.

Neil said: “It’s a privilege to have been appointed to lead University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust at an important and exciting time; not only for the organisation but the whole NHS. I have been struck by the warmth shown by everyone whom I’ve met in the Trust so far, and I look forward to serving both the people who work here and our communities, as well as making Devon my home.”