The Board

Darren Banks is Deputy Trust Chief Executive at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. Formerly the Chief Strategy Officer, he has held senior leadership responsibilities at MFT and its predecessor organisations since joining in 2006, leading and supporting a range of major organisational and system developments, including MFT’s Foundation Trust application, the acquisition of Trafford Healthcare Trust, the creation of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, and a prominent role in the Greater Manchester health and care devolution reform.

As Chief Strategy Officer, he played a leading role in establishing MFT’s five-year Trust Strategy, Where Excellence Meets Compassion, providing a single organisational framework for improving the health and quality of life of the diverse communities served by the Trust. His leadership has supported the alignment of strategic priorities, governance and delivery across MFT’s broad portfolio of hospital, community, specialist, research and education services.As Deputy Chief Executive, he led the development and implementation of the One MFT operating model, strengthening how the Trust works as a single organisation through clearer accountability, consistent governance and clinically-led leadership arrangements. His portfolio includes estates and facilities, corporate governance and the Trust Value for Patients programme. Darren is also the Executive Lead for Freedom to Speak Up.

Darren is a qualified accountant and has previously held senior finance and operational management roles in the NHS. His experience combines strategy, governance, financial management, programme delivery and partnership working across large and complex NHS organisations.