How do you modernise a hospital with more than a century of history without losing what makes it special? Jeremy Butler, Chief Executive Officer of King Edward VII’s Hospital, shares how he’s leading one of London’s most respected independent hospitals through a period of strategic renewal—honouring its charitable mission to support veterans while preparing it for a sustainable future under new ownership by Bupa.
Founded in 1899 to care for soldiers returning from war, King Edward VII’s Hospital has long been known for combining exceptional clinical standards with compassion and equity. Jeremy explains how the hospital is changing ownership to stay true to its original purpose while growing its services, refining its self-pay offering, and further enabling its charitable work.
In this episode, Jeremy reflects on leadership in complex systems: why transformation depends on clarity of purpose, consistency, and kindness; how to “blame the process, not the person”; and why innovation should always start with solving real problems. His story offers a thoughtful look at how legacy institutions can evolve with integrity, leading with both precision and heart.
Supported by Norman Broadbent: https://www.normanbroadbent.com/
Jeremy Butler