Trust concludes former chief ‘not fit and proper’ after sexual harassment investigation

An NHS trust has concluded that its former chief executive is not a “fit and proper person” to be on an NHS board, after investigating allegations of sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour, HSJ has learned.

HSJ understands The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt (RJAH) Orthopaedic Hospital Foundation Trust commissioned a specialist external workplace investigation into Mark Brandreth, which considered serious allegations made about his behaviour during his time as trust chief executive between April 2016 and August 2021.

Mr Brandreth is understood to dispute the allegations as well as the investigation’s findings, and is seeking to challenge RJAH’s handling of the complaints and its process for deciding he did not meet the Fit and Proper Person Test. 

Sources with knowledge of the situation said almost 30 female RJAH staff members came forward to give information to the investigation, but it focused on 12 employees who were willing to give evidence.

HSJ has been told that as a result of the investigation, which concluded at the end of last year, the trust’s chair has informed NHSE in writing that it believes Mr Brandreth does not meet the “Fit and Proper Person Test”, implying he should be ruled out of board roles – or roles with equivalent responsibility – at English NHS organisations and adult social care providers.

However, the trust, in Shropshire, is not planning to publish its ruling and – with no professional regulation in place for health and care managers and/or board members – it is unclear how effective the conclusion will be if it is not made public. A female staff member told HSJ of her concerns that “nothing is being done”.

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Source: HSJ, 21 February 2024