Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust (HDFT) has appointed experienced NHS leader Chris Mannion as its new Chief People Officer.
Chris joined the Trust earlier this month from Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust, where he was Deputy Director of Workforce and Organisational Development since 2019.
As Chief People Officer, Chris will play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering HDFT’s people strategy, ensuring the Trust continues to attract, retain and develop a highly skilled and motivated workforce.
As a member of the Executive Team, he will help lead the organisation’s strategic ambitions and drive organisational and cultural development across the Trust.
Chris succeeds Angela Wilkinson, who retired in May 2026 after almost eight years as HDFT’s Director of People and Culture.
Beginning his NHS career on the NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme in 2007, Chris has built extensive experience across workforce, organisational development, leadership and transformation.
Throughout his career, he has championed positive workplace cultures and employee engagement, helping organisations deliver improvements for both colleagues and patients.
In recognition of his contribution to NHS people leadership, Chris was named Deputy People Leader of the Year at the Healthcare People Management Association (HPMA) Awards in 2024.
Chris holds a BSc in Psychology and an MA in Human Resource Management and is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). He has also completed the NHS Leadership Academy’s prestigious Nye Bevan Programme in Executive Healthcare Leadership and is an ACAS-trained workplace mediator.
The appointment is the latest addition to HDFT’s Executive Team, following Julia Nixon’s appointment as Chief Operating Officer in July.
Jonathan Coulter, Chief Executive of Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, said: “I am delighted to welcome Chris to HDFT. He joins us with a wealth of NHS experience and an impressive track record of leading workforce and organisational development initiatives that have made a real difference for colleagues and patients.
“Throughout the recruitment process, Chris demonstrated a genuine passion for people, leadership and culture, alongside a clear understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the NHS workforce.
“Our people are at the heart of everything we do, and Chris’s values align strongly with our own. I am confident he will be a fantastic addition to our Executive Team and will help us build on our reputation as a great place to work while supporting our ambition to deliver outstanding care for the communities we serve.
Chris Mannion said: “I am thrilled to join Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, which has such a strong reputation for delivering high-quality care and putting people at the centre of its success.
“What attracted me to HDFT was its clear commitment to its values and to creating an environment where staff feel supported and are able to deliver exceptional care and experiences for patients.
“I am looking forward to meeting colleagues across our services and communities, listening to their experiences and working with them to build on the Trust’s many strengths. Together, we will continue to develop the organisation as a place where people feel proud to work, can achieve their potential and are empowered to provide the very best care.”