Rob joined RCPCH in March 2019 as Director of Policy and External Affairs and then as Director of Membership, Policy and External Affairs. In October 2022, he became interim CEO before being successfully appointed to the permanent role in January 2023.
As CEO, Rob has led the College’s staff and worked with the College’s Senior Officers and Board of Trustees to deliver on the RCPCH’s mission, vision and strategy to support paediatrics and child health nationally and internationally.
Chair of the Board of Trustees, Joanne Shaw said:
On behalf of the Board and the whole of our organisation, I want to thank Rob for his exceptional service to the College and for the direction and insight that he has provided during an intense period of challenge and change. Rob has played a critical role in enabling the College to successfully navigate the past three years, continuing the drive to modernise infrastructure and enhance member services to keep pace with the College’s membership growth. We will greatly miss his dedication, his calm and positive presence and his collaborative approach as we take the College forward, following the vision that he has set.
The Trustees are leading the recruitment process to search for the College’s next CEO. Ian Parrett, currently Executive Director of Finance and Corporate Services, will be stepping up as Interim CEO effective from January next year, to cover any gap between Rob’s departure and the arrival of his successor. Ian will work with the Trustees, Senior Officers and members of the Senior Leadership Team to provide direction and stability for the College during the transition period.
President of the RCPCH, Dr Steve Turner said:
On behalf of our members, I want to thank Rob for all that he has done for the College. He has worked hard to support members and our ambitions for paediatrics and child health. It has been my pleasure to work alongside Rob over the last six to seven years. Our College roles have changed in the intervening years, but we have always made a very effective team. I will miss his company and wish him the very best for his next role.
On his achievements at the College, Rob Okunnu said:
It has been heartening to have played an important role in shaping the College’s activities over the past seven years or so, firstly during my time as a director and most recently leading as CEO. I am very proud of the achievements, particularly in continuing leading the modernisation and transformation of the College, responding to the risks and opportunities in our operating environment, and planning for a sustainable future.
I am grateful for the experiences and learning, and the richness of collaboration with members, staff, Board of Trustees, children and young people and all our external partners. It has indeed been a real privilege to work with so many wonderful people. Right now, I feel the time is right to hand over the mantle as the College’s forward journey continues.
Notes
1. Rob Okunnu joined RCPCH as Director of Policy and External Affairs in March 2019, and became CEO in January 2023.
Rob is a senior leader with over 20 years’ experience across a mix of organisations and sectors. As Director of Membership, Policy & External Affairs, he oversaw the College’s teams covering membership, marketing, events, media, public affairs, policy, campaigning, digital and creative media. His extensive experience spans prior leadership roles in private and public sector organisations such as Water UK, Tesco PLC, the pharmaceutical company MSD and the British Medical Association.
Rob is a Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) Chartered PR Practitioner and Fellow, and a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). He is also a Non-Executive Director on the Board of the Independent Schools Inspectorate.
2. Ian Parrett joined the College in October 2024 and has strategic responsibility for Finance and Corporate Services which includes the areas of finance, procurement, facilities, governance and income diversification.
He is a qualified Chartered Certified Accountant with more than 25 years of experience in the higher and further education sectors both in the UK and internationally. Prior to joining RCPCH, he was Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer at the London Institute of Banking & Finance (LiBF) and was a board member of Writtle University prior to its merger with Anglia Ruskin University.