Getting to know our CEO

Here is your chance to get to know our new chief executive, David Probert, a little bit better. He has answered a wide range of questions, ranging from what he is looking forward to most in his new role, to what animal he would be and why.

1. What are you most looking forward to doing in your new role at Moorfields?

I am looking forward to continuing to build on our proud history and ensure that our future remains progressive. We face an extraordinarily challenging time in the NHS at the moment and I am looking forward to working with the staff at Moorfields to ensure we do not stand still, or worse take a backwards step, in the fight against eye disease and blindness. 

2. What would you most like to achieve in the coming months?

There are many “'must do's” for any new CEO in their first few months in post but I am particularly keen to focus on three clear priorities. Firstly, ensuring we give a good account of all of which we are so proud when the CQC visit us in early May; secondly, that with colleagues at UCL we are successful in our reaccreditation as a Biomedical Research Centre.

Finally, I am keen we continue the good progress made in helping identify a new site for the relocation of the main hospital and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology from City Road; this will not be easy but I think it’s incredibly important for our future and that of eye care and vision research nationally and internationally.

3. What was your idea of a dream job when you were a child?

I always enjoyed scuba diving and history so my dream job was to be an underwater archaeologist.  

4. What are you reading at the moment?

I am half way through Tom English's book No Borders - Playing Rugby for Ireland. It’s a fascinating insight into one of my real passions: Irish rugby.

5. If you could invite anyone (past or present) to dinner which three people would you choose?

That’s a very difficult question but I think like any good party you would need a mix of humour and insight; so for me it would be Billy Connelly for humour, John F. Kennedy for insight and Ella Fitzgerald, just in case we could convince her to sing with that amazing voice.

6. What keeps you busy in your spare time?

I enjoy spending time with my family and I am also huge sports fan. We are quite a sporty family, which means a great deal of the weekend is spent combining both passions and enjoying sports for various ages.

7. What animal would you be and why?

I’ve always liked lions although this might just be a continuation of the rugby theme. I would love to follow the British and Irish Lions to New Zealand next year.

8. What is your ideal holiday destination?

I really enjoy spending time in Greece and the Greek islands so probably island hoping in Greece, starting somewhere like Corfu.

9. What is your proudest achievement?

I was very proud to join the board of directors at a high performing trust at a relatively young age (at The Royal Marsden). More satisfying however was being able to help make a real difference at the trust in ensuring first class staff delivered the care patients need and deserve; I am most proud of the role I played in that.

10. What three words would your family and friends use to describe you?

Very tough to guess but probably and hopefully calm, caring and driven.