Key Points
- Dr. Nazir Afzal OBE has been made the new Chair of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT).
- This will be effective from 4 January 2027.
- The appointment was made public by MFT on 19 October 2026.
- Dr. Afzal brings to the table expertise in public service, governance, safeguarding and organizational leadership.
- He was previously the Chief Crown Prosecutor for North West England and the Director for Crown Prosecution Service in London.
- At present, Dr. Afzal is the Chancellor of the University of Manchester and Chairman of The Lowry.
- As Chairman, he will provide strategic guidance to the MFT Trust Board.
- Mr. Trevor Rees had been Acting Chairman of MFT since 1 May 2026 and received gratitude from MFT Chief Executive Mr. Mark Cubbon.
- MFT provides services to more than one million people in Manchester and Trafford and also to patients via its specialist services nationally and regionally.
Manchester (Manchester Mirror) October 19, 2026 — Nazir Afzal OBE has been appointed as the new Chair of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, one of England’s largest NHS trusts, and will formally begin the role on 4 January 2027.
The announcement was made by MFT on 19 October 2026. According to the Trust, Mr Afzal will bring extensive experience of public service, governance, safeguarding and organisational leadership to the position.
Who is Nazir Afzal OBE?
Nazir Afzal OBE is a former senior prosecutor and public-service leader with a career spanning more than 30 years. As reported by Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, he previously served as Chief Crown Prosecutor for North West England and as Director for the Crown Prosecution Service in London.
During his prosecution career, he led work on some of the country’s most significant criminal cases and oversaw more than 100,000 prosecutions annually, according to MFT. The Trust said he has also been a leading advocate on child protection, violence against women and girls, safeguarding and social justice.
Mr Afzal’s wider leadership roles include serving as Chief Executive of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, National Adviser to the Welsh Government and the first independent Chair of the Catholic Church’s Safeguarding Agency.
He is currently Chancellor of the University of Manchester and Chair of The Lowry. MFT said he also holds a range of national governance, advisory and charitable roles.
What will his role involve?
As Chair, Mr Afzal will lead the MFT Trust Board. MFT said the role includes supporting effective governance, strategic oversight and accountability across the organisation, while helping ensure that patients, staff and communities remain central to decision-making.
MFT describes itself as one of England’s largest NHS trusts. Its services cover Manchester and Trafford, with the Trust stating that it serves almost one million people in those areas and many more through specialist services provided regionally and nationally.
The appointment places Mr Afzal at the head of the Trust Board at a time when MFT says it is focused on improving care, reducing inequalities and transforming services.
What did Nazir Afzal say?
In comments issued by MFT, Mr Afzal said it was “a huge privilege” to be appointed Chair of the Trust.
“It is a huge privilege to be appointed Chair of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. MFT touches the lives of hundreds of thousands of people, and with that comes an enormous responsibility. I intend to listen, to challenge when necessary and, above all, to keep patients and communities at the heart of what we do,” he said, as quoted by MFT.
He added that leadership of an organisation of MFT’s importance could not be carried out “from a boardroom alone”.
“You cannot lead an organisation this important from a boardroom alone. I want to spend time with our teams, hear what is working and what isn’t, and make sure people feel able to speak openly. Good organisations are built on people who feel listened to and valued,” Mr Afzal said.
He also referred to Manchester’s sense of community, saying that spirit should run through the NHS.
“Manchester is a city that believes in looking after one another. That spirit should run through our NHS too. I want MFT to be an organisation that our patients are proud of, our staff are proud to work for, and our communities know they can trust,” he said.
Mr Afzal said he had spent much of his career “standing up for people” and ensuring that voices which can sometimes go unheard are heard.
“I see this role as another opportunity to serve, with humility, independence and a determination to make a difference,” he said.
He added: “MFT has extraordinary people, enormous expertise and a proud history. My job is not to arrive with all the answers; it is to listen, ask the right questions and help create the conditions in which our people can deliver the very best care.”
How has the Trust responded?
Ivan Benett, Lead Governor at MFT, welcomed the appointment on behalf of the Council of Governors.
“On behalf of the Council of Governors, I am delighted to welcome Nazir as the new Chair of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust,” Mr Benett said, according to MFT.
He said Mr Afzal brings “an outstanding record of public service, leadership and independent challenge”.
“His commitment to fairness, inclusion and accountability, together with his experience of leading cultural and organisational change at a national level, will be a tremendous asset,” Mr Benett said.
He added that the Council of Governors was particularly impressed by Mr Afzal’s passion for public service and his commitment to listening to patients, staff and communities.
“We look forward to working closely with him as MFT continues to deliver high-quality care and improve the health of the populations we serve,”
Mr Benett said.
Mark Cubbon, Chief Executive of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, also welcomed the appointment ahead of Mr Afzal’s formal start date.
“I am delighted to welcome Nazir to MFT ahead of his formal start as Chair on 4 January 2027,”
Mr Cubbon said.
He said MFT serves almost one million people across Manchester and Trafford, alongside many more people through specialist services regionally and nationally.
“We are ambitious about continuing to improve care, reduce inequalities and transform services. Nazir brings a wealth of experience, insight and public service leadership which will be invaluable to that mission,” Mr Cubbon said.
He added that Mr Afzal’s commitment to listening, inclusion and accountability aligned strongly with the Trust’s values.
“I look forward to working closely with him as we build on MFT’s many strengths for the benefit of our patients, colleagues and communities,” he said.
What happens to Trevor Rees?
Mark Cubbon also thanked Trevor Rees for his service as Acting Chair. Mr Rees had been Acting Chair of MFT with effect from 1 May 2026, according to an NHS England candidate pack published in July 2026.
“I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to Trevor Rees for his outstanding leadership and support as Acting Chair,”
Mr Cubbon said.
He said Mr Rees had provided “stability, wise counsel and unwavering commitment during an important period for the Trust”.
“We are extremely grateful for his contribution,”
Mr Cubbon added.
MFT’s board information previously listed Mr Rees as Acting Chair and Mr Cubbon as Chief Executive. Mr Rees has been a Non-Executive Director at MFT since 2015 and is a chartered accountant with more than 20 years’ experience working with the NHS and other publicly funded or not-for-profit organisations.
Background of the development
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust announced the appointment on 19 October 2026, naming Nazir Afzal OBE as its incoming Chair. The Trust said he will take up the post on 4 January 2027.
The appointment follows a period in which Trevor Rees served as Acting Chair. According to MFT’s 2025-26 annual report, former Chair Kathy Cowell CBE DL left the Trust on 30 April 2026 to become Regional Chair of NHS England in the North West, while Mr Rees became Interim Trust Chair from 1 May 2026.
Mr Afzal’s appointment adds to his existing public roles, including his position as Chancellor of the University of Manchester and Chair of The Lowry. MFT said his background includes senior prosecution, safeguarding and governance experience.
How could this affect patients and staff?
For patients and communities in Manchester and Trafford, the appointment may influence how the Trust approaches engagement, accountability and service improvement. MFT said Mr Afzal will help ensure patients, staff and communities remain at the heart of decision-making, while supporting the Board’s governance and strategic oversight.
For MFT staff, Mr Afzal has indicated that he intends to spend time with teams, listen to concerns and encourage people to speak openly. His stated priorities include making staff feel listened to and valued, which may shape the culture and internal communication of the Trust during his tenure.
For the wider NHS in Greater Manchester, the appointment comes as MFT says it is working to improve care, reduce inequalities and transform services. The Trust has said Mr Afzal’s experience in public-service leadership, safeguarding and organisational change will support that agenda from January 2027.
