11/12/2025
Today, (11 December 2025) Chief Executive, Neil Guckian, has announced his intention to retire. Neil will be leaving his role in April 2026.
Neil was appointed as the Western Trust Chief Executive on 01 July 2021. He led the Trust through a period marked by unprecedented challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, financial and workforce pressures and continuous transformation across health and social care. Under his leadership, the Trust has continued to deliver high-quality, safe services, drive innovation, and strengthen the wellbeing of staff, patients, clients, and service users.
Chair of the Trust, Dr Tom Frawley paid tribute to Neil’s leadership, saying:
“Neil has led the Western Trust with compassion, clarity, and resilience. His steady leadership during some of the most difficult years for health and social care has been invaluable. The Trust Board is deeply grateful for his dedication, professionalism, and the positive impact he has made over many years. We wish him the very best in his well-deserved retirement.”
Neil said “it has been such a privilege to work with so many people in this organisation and our community is so fortunate to have such a committed group making a meaningful difference to everyone they serve. I have a very significant birthday tomorrow and I feel now is the right time to retire”.
Trust Board will now commence the process of appointing a new Chief Executive.