‘Angry’ trust CEO warns staff about racist abuse of director

The chief people officer of a leading hospital trust has been subjected to “racist” abuse by colleagues, HSJ has learned. 

Frimley Health Foundation Trust chief executive Lance McCarthy sent an all-staff email claiming the provider’s CPO Shajeda Ahmed “was subjected to anonymous comments that became personal and aggressive” during an online briefing. She was also “repeatedly muted while trying to speak”, said Mr McCarthy.

The CEO’s email, which was sent on the eve of the trust’s annual inclusion conference and has been seen by HSJ, continued: “Given that Shajeda was the only person from a minority ethnic background speaking on that call, the circumstances raise serious concerns that this was not simply unacceptable behaviour but had a racialised dimension.

“It is not the first time Shajeda, or other colleagues from a minority ethnic background, have faced hostility while trying to lead difficult conversations on behalf of this organisation and, ultimately, for the benefit of our patients.”

The CEO declared: “This makes me angry. Not concerned. Angry.”

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Source: HSJ, 24 September 2026