CSH Surrey’s Chief Executive, Professor Jo Pritchard, on her new role

March 2015. Jo Pritchard has become Chief Executive of CSH Surrey. Jo jointly founded CSH (then known as Central Surrey Health) in 2006, when she inspired more than 650 NHS nurses and therapists to set up their own employee-owned social enterprise – the first of its kind to be established out of the NHS in England. This paved the way for a national strategy of encouraging the development of social businesses and of greater employee ownership in the public sector.

Nine years later CSH Surrey continues to lead the way within community health services.

Jo Pritchard puts CSH Surrey’s difference and high quality services down to its unique co-ownership model: “CSH Surrey’s co-owners remain among the most motivated employees in the health sector. Our annual survey results continue to outperform the NHS Staff Survey results, which is important because staff engagement is now proven to contribute to higher quality care."

Commenting on Jo becoming Chief Executive, CSH Surrey Chair Bill Caplan says: “I am delighted that Jo is Chief Executive. Jo’s vision for CSH Surrey remains as strong as in 2006 – to deliver ever more integrated, innovative and higher quality services by listening to and involving service users, commissioners and co-owners. I know Jo will take CSH Surrey forward with the same commitment to putting patient care and quality at its heart and to operate with the integrity, ‘can do’ and innovative spirit that has seen CSH deliver excellent community services in mid Surrey over the last nine years while she has been Managing Director."

Jo Pritchard holds a degree in nursing, post graduate diplomas in health visiting and counselling, and an MA in Management. In 2010 she was appointed as a Commissioner on the Prime Minister’s Nursing and Midwifery Commission, and in 2014 Jo was invited to become an Honorary Professor at the University of Surrey. Jo sits on the Surrey Adults Safeguarding Board and is also a member of the Clinical Senate Council for Kent, Surrey and Sussex.