David French will leave his position in July, closing a decade of service with the trust, which he joined as chief financial officer before becoming chief executive in 2020.
During his tenure, the trust expanded its services and delivered “outstanding clinical outcomes” amid significant investment in research and development, new facilities, and ward expansions.
But the announcement of his departure comes at a time the hospital has nearly 300 patients stuck in beds waiting to be discharged, and the trust is facing NHS intervention over a backlog in elective treatment.
It is also under the highest level of scrutiny over A&E targets and has an in-year budget deficit of £45million.
READ MORE: Hospital chiefs respond after some patients wait more than a year for treatment
David French, chief executive of University Hospital Southampton, is set to step down. (Image: UHS)
Mr French said his time at UHS had been “hugely rewarding”.
He said: “As I reflect on my ten years at UHS, it has been a hugely rewarding time and such a privilege to work alongside fantastic colleagues who do amazing things every day.
“Working together, I am extraordinarily proud of everything we have achieved and it has been a true honour to lead this wonderful organisation.
“We have a lot of important work to do over the next six months and I am committed to completing that work so the organisation has the strongest foundations possible for the future.
“UHS will always hold the most special place in my heart, and I will look on with pride as it thrives and continues to provide outstanding healthcare for millions of people.”
READ MORE: Hospital battles to clear patients as 300 in beds unnecessarily
Jenni Douglas-Todd, chair of the trust, said Mr French had guided the hospitals under his care through “difficult years”.
She said: “It has been a real privilege to work with David.
“His demonstrable commitment to the trust’s and NHS values have guided the organisation successfully through some difficult years, including the Covid period.
“His unwavering vision for what the organisation could be was set out in the trust’s ambitious five-year strategy and in that time he has delivered many significant achievements.
“A highly respected and visible leader, David’s reputation and abilities transcended the organisation, and he has played a wider leadership role within the Hampshire and Isle of Wight NHS system, as well as the city of Southampton.”
The trust, which runs Southampton General and Princess Anne, is working to address long elective waiting lists.
At a board meeting on Tuesday, January 13, Mr French said there had been a “national push” to eliminate all 65-week waits by the end of 2025.
He told the board: “The throttles are fully open in terms of our elective capacity. We are expecting that number to come down.
“We are hoping to be zero by the end of March.”
The trust’s overall elective waiting list stood at 63,399 at the end of November 2025, with 245 patients waiting more than 65 weeks at that time.