Sultan Mahmud to join BT as director of healthcare

Professor Sultan Mahmud is set to leave Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust after being appointed as the new director of healthcare for BT’s Enterprise unit.

Professor Mahmud will leave his post as the chief innovation, integration and research officer at Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust (RWT) and will start his new role in May 2021.

He has more than 20 years’ experience working for the NHS which includes time spent in senior regulator, provider and commissioner roles. In his new position, his focus will be to accelerate innovation for connected healthcare.

“I am delighted to be joining BT at such a pivotal time for healthcare in this country,” Professor Sultan said.

“Having worked for the NHS for two decades, the role is hugely appealing to me because I recognise the potential for BT’s infrastructure combined with its appetite to remedy some of the familiar challenges the NHS estate has with interconnectivity.

He added: “In my new role, I hope to further strengthen BT’s partnership with the NHS to improve services for staff and patients across the country. Digital transformation is not an option anymore, given the global workforce shortage, it is now accepted in almost every developed healthcare system.

“I want to contribute to BT’s bold innovation culture which is taking shape, there are some hugely talented colleagues and I am honoured to have the opportunity to contribute to that.”

During his six-and-a-half years working at the trust, Professor Sultan oversaw the delivery of a number of key projects, including a ten-year deal with Babylon Health that will allow local residents to have access to state of the art AI-based technology.

He has also overseen partnerships with Sensyne Health and Induction Healthcare.

Ed Stainton, director of major government at BT’s Enterprise unit added: “As we’ve seen this past year, the success of the healthcare sector is so vital for the UK, and we’re committed to bringing the most innovative solutions to help the healthcare sector thrive now, and in the future.

“Sultan will be integral to this; bringing his expertise and skills to drive the growth of our new connected health solutions.”