King’s College Hospital London announced the appointment of Claire Smith as the new chief executive of the hospital’s new facility in Jeddah, making her the first female British CEO in Saudi Arabia.
Prior to King’s College Hospital London, Smith served as CEO for HCA Healthcare UK, Joint Ventures, a private company in the UK. However, her journey began as a nurse, and her dedication and devotion to the sector propelled her to climb the ranks.
With more than 30 years of experience, Smith brings a wealth of knowledge in clinical, operational, and administrative areas in addition to her deep passion for serving the community, making her a perfect fit to uphold the hospital’s core values and visionary model of integrated care.
Smith’s mission extends beyond healthcare; she believes in connecting with patients on a human level, ensuring that their feedback shapes the hospital’s services around their actual needs.
When asked about her vision for Jeddah, she said: “Fundamentally, healthcare is always about serving the community in which we operate. It’s wonderful to come to Jeddah and work with so many people from Saudi Arabia and from around the world. The aspiration is to ensure that we serve our community and deliver exceptional healthcare.”
Under Smith’s leadership, King’s Jeddah is poised to introduce the best of international healthcare standards to the region, driven by a commitment to excellence, innovation, and person-centered treatment.
