Dr Birju Bartoli

Dr Birju Bartoli was appointed Chief Executive of Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust in December 2023 and officially assumed the role in January 2024. This followed a decades-long trajectory within the organisation, having joined the trust as a management trainee in 2003 and serving in numerous roles—including operational manager, deputy director, and various corporate director positions.
With a strong foundation in science, Dr Bartoli holds an applied biochemistry degree and a PhD in cancer research from Newcastle University. Before transitioning into healthcare leadership, she worked as a post-doctoral fellow, applying her research expertise toward improving clinical outcomes. Her leadership development also includes healthcare executive training at Harvard Business School.
Over more than two decades, Dr Bartoli advanced through the trust, holding critical leadership roles. In 2012, she became Director of Performance and Governance, and later was appointed Deputy Chief Executive in November 2015. Notably, from 2012 to 2023, she served as Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Deputy Chief Executive, overseeing broad portfolios in medicine and emergency care.
A standout milestone in her career was as Senior Responsible Officer for the development of the Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital, which opened in June 2015—the first of its kind in the UK.
Beyond her executive responsibilities at the trust, Dr Bartoli joined the Board of Northumbria University in September 2022. She also chairs the Trust’s Organ Donation Committee and serves as the Board Champion for Race Equality, underlining her commitment to inclusive leadership and civic engagement.