The Princess Royal Presents ELFT Chief Executive with OBE

The Chief Executive of the East London NHS Foundation Trust, Lorraine Sunduza, has received her OBE from the Princess Royal at an Investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle.

 Lorraine – who was appointed substantively as Chief Executive in May, having served as its Interim since August 2023 – was named in the 2024 New Year Honours list for her outstanding contribution to mental and community health, and leadership in the NHS.

Having joined the Trust in 2002 as a Charge Nurse in Forensic Services, Lorraine started her professional journey in adult mental health inpatient services. In 2018, she was substantively appointed as the Trust’s Chief Nurse, before becoming Deputy Chief Executive three years later.

Speaking about the Investiture, Lorraine Sunduza OBE said: “It was an absolute privilege and honour to receive my OBE from the Princess Royal, and humbling to be recognised for this important work.

“I was also delighted to have my parents visiting from Zimbabwe and my daughter alongside me today. I could not have done the work I have for the Trust without their support, and that of colleagues and friends.”

ELFT’s Chair, Eileen Taylor, added: “This ceremony recognises Lorraine’s outstanding leadership and dedication to the communities we serve in east London and Bedfordshire, and I cannot think of anybody more deserving of this honour.”

provides mental health services, community services, primary and specialist health care in the London boroughs of Tower Hamlets, Newham, Hackney and the City of London, as well as in Bedfordshire and Luton. It has 7000 staff and operates from over 100 sites.