Lynne Ayton

Director of Operations

Lynne has more than 40 years of experience in the healthcare sector, covering clinical nursing, international practice, research, education, and healthcare management.

Lynne began her NHS career in 1981, completing one of the early degrees in Nursing Studies. After graduating, she worked in theatres at both the Western Infirmary and Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh, before gaining international experience in the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia.

After returning to the UK in 1991, Lynne continued her career in clinical research and nurse education and development. She later became Theatre Manager at Royal Brompton Hospital, and following its merger with Harefield Hospitals, she took on the roles of Assistant General Manager and then General Manager for Surgical Services across the Trust.

In 2003, Lynne and her family relocated to Glasgow, where she took a short career break before accepting the post of General Manager for Heart and Lung Services in a joint appointment between NHS Golden Jubilee and NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde in 2006. She managed services across both Boards until the full migration to the newly created West of Scotland Heart and Lung Centre was completed in 2008.

As part of changes to senior operational management under our previous Board Strategy, Lynne took up the role of Director of Heart, Lung and Diagnostics Services on 1 October 2019. She also previously served as Interim Executive Director of Operations from April to November 2022.

Throughout her career managing complex services, Lynne has built strong networks across the wider UK NHS. She represents transplant management on NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) committees, helping raise the national profile of NHS Golden Jubilee.