Cystic Fibrosis Ireland (CFI) is sad to let you know that Philip Watt is stepping down after more than 14 exceptional years as CEO of CFI. 

Philip said; 

"I have very mixed emotions leaving CFI. While I am very sad to be moving on, it is with a sense of great joy to have played at least some part in the progress that has characterised CF care over the past 14 years. As I always say at our board meetings, this progress is the achievement of many and CFI has often felt like being part of an extended family in the fight for better services and access to new and innovative medicines. 

 "I wish to thank the wonderful staff members I have worked alongside, the excellent volunteers who make up our board and Officers and our amazing branches, but I particularly remember the many people with CF and their families who are no longer with us but who fought to make CF health services better, even when they were very ill or when their sons and daughters had passed away at young ages. 

 "It has been an honour to serve CFI- I have been overwhelmed by the messages of thanks and good will for the future that I have been receiving in recent days. I want to thank our excellent clinicians and their teams for all their continuing care, the National Clinical Programme, the CF Registry,  the industry of researchers that has led to such important therapy breakthroughs. The contribution of the HSE and successive governments over the years up to the present has also been key, even when they had to be nudged and persuaded at times 'to do the right thing'.

 "I leave at the start of a new era in CF care but still with many challenges ahead as CF care becomes more complex. I will go on to do research and project work outside of CFI hopefully in a less stressful setting and I know an interim and very capable  CEO will be announced shortly.'"