After 46 years service working in health, chief executive of East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT) Nick Hulme is stepping down from the role ahead of the start of 2026 – with plans to spend more time with and to “take some time” for himself.
The ESNEFT boss announced his retirement in October of last year, with deputy chief executive Adrian Marr taking the role on an interim basis from the start of January.
Ipswich MP Jack Abbott, ESNEFT boss Nick Hulme and health secretary Wes Streeting (Image: Labour East)
Mr Hulme said: “I definitely have mixed emotions about it all, the last 46 years have been extraordinary and I have enjoyed 90% of it.
“But you must also recognise that there comes a time for someone else to take over the role and there is a real sense of sadness.
“It will be strange not getting up on Monday morning and putting on the suit and heading to work, but I will get more time to spend with my children and grandchildren, for babysitting duties if nothing else.”
ESNEFT runs Ipswich Hospital and Colchester Hospital (Image: Newsquest)
Mr Hulme’s first management role was in sexual health services before being appointed to senior leadership roles in operational and general management across large and trusts.
He was appointed chief executive of Ipswich Hospital in January 2013 and became chief executive of Colchester Hospital in May 2016, prior to the merger to form ESNEFT in 2018.
“I also think back to my work in the 1980s when I working as counsellor during the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis when lots of young people were dying.
“The work we were doing then was really important, having to deal with that tragedy and all of the stigma that comes along with that.”