Ade Odunlade

Ade Odunlade is the Interim Chief Executive of South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) appointed on 1 December 2025. With more than 30 years’ experience in mental health and senior healthcare leadership, Ade is recognised for his deep commitment to improving patient care and driving system‑wide transformation. 

A nurse by background, Ade began his mental health career at SLaM in 1993 on Eileen Skellern 2 at the Maudsley Hospital after training at Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust. His clinical work spans acute inpatient wards, community mental health teams in Peckham and Camberwell, young offenders’ institutions, and therapy specialising in relationships and sexual dysfunction—all of which shaped his patient‑centred approach to leadership. 

Since rejoining SLaM in 2023, Ade has been pivotal in stabilising the Trust’s finances, strengthening community services and supporting frontline staff during a challenging period for the NHS. His leadership is known for being collaborative, inclusive and relentlessly focused on improving care for patients and families. 

Before returning to SLaM as Chief Operating Officer (COO), Ade served as COO at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, where he led major programmes in clinical transformation, workforce development and urgent care. He also chaired the NHS Providers Chief Operating Officers Network, reflecting his national influence on operational leadership.

Ade is also co‑author of Living with Fear, a reflective book exploring the trauma experienced by healthcare workers during the Covid‑19 pandemic, with all proceeds supporting charity. His contribution to developing future NHS leaders was recognised in September 2025 when he received the APNA NHS Network Mentoring and Coaching Champion Award.