Karl Munslow Ong appointed as Chief Executive of Great Ormond Street Hospital

Karl joins GOSH with more than two decades of senior leadership experience across a range of high-performing NHS organisations. A respected and values‑driven healthcare leader, he brings a proven track record of delivering complex operational, strategic and transformation programmes at scale, most recently serving as Deputy Chief Executive of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust.

During his tenure at The Royal Marsden, Karl played a pivotal role in leading one of the NHS’s most successful specialist cancer centres through a significant period of growth, partnership development and innovation. He also has insight into specialist paediatric care through his role on the GOSH Marsden Partnership Board. This partnership includes sharing a single electronic patient record system and jointly leading the North Thames Genomic Medicine Service.

Karl has also held senior executive roles at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and other London teaching hospitals, where he led successful major digital and estates programmes, and complex service transformation initiatives.

On his appointment, Karl said: “I am truly honoured to be joining Great Ormond Street Hospital as Chief Executive. Having worked closely with the organisation, I have seen the extraordinary care and dedication shown to children and young people with complex health needs. I very much look forward to getting started, meeting colleagues and partners, and continuing to deliver outstanding care and research for those who need us most.”

Ellen Schroder, Chair of the GOSH Board, welcomed the appointment, saying: “We are delighted to welcome someone of Karl’s calibre to Great Ormond Street Hospital. Karl brings strategic vision, a deep knowledge of specialist services and a strong sense of public service.

“He joins us at a time of great opportunity and some challenge and his depth of experience, inclusive leadership style and unwavering commitment to excellence make him an exceptional choice to lead our organisation into the future.

“The Board and I look forward to working closely with him as we continue to advance care for children and young people with rare and complex diseases”.

Karl will take up his role as Chief Executive in on 1 June 2026. He succeeds Matthew Shaw, who has led the organisation since 2018 and leaves to take up the role of Group Chief Executive of St George’s and St Helier University Hospitals.