CNWL’s Chief Operating Officer, Graeme Caul, was named NHS Chief Operating Officer of the Year at the Senior Leadership Forum Recognition Awards, held on 2 July 2026 at The Grand Hotel in Birmingham.

The award recognised Graeme’s exceptional operational leadership and contribution to performance improvement and patient care. He was shortlisted alongside Chief Operating Officers from NHS organisations across the country.

Graeme said:

“I was genuinely surprised and hugely honoured to receive this award, particularly given the calibre of colleagues nominated alongside me. Any recognition of my work is really a recognition of the extraordinary teams I work with at CNWL, who show up every day for the people and communities we serve. I'm proud to accept this on their behalf.”

The award celebrates outstanding operational leadership across the NHS and recognises leaders delivering improvements while navigating complex pressures across patient care, performance, workforce and services.