11th May 2009
Department of Health appoint new Chief Executives at Strategic Health Authorities
On 7 May, two new Chief Executives were appointed to lead the West Midlands and Yorkshire and Humber Strategic Health Authorities. Ian Cumming will lead West Midlands SHA and Bill McCarthy will lead Yorkshire and Humber SHA.
Announcing these appointments NHS Chief Executive David Nicholson said:
I am delighted to welcome Bill McCarthy and Ian Cumming to these roles. The NHS has a shared ambition to improve the quality of care for patients and both Bill and Ian will play a key role in delivering this ambition for their local communities.
As SHA Chief Executives, both also join the NHS Management Board, which sets the strategic direction for the NHS. On behalf of the Board I would like to welcome them and look forward to working together.
Accepting the appointment of Chief Executive of Yorkshire and Humber SHA, Bill McCarthy said:
I am delighted to have been appointed and am really looking forward to joining the strategic health authority and working on behalf of the people of Yorkshire and the Humber in the future.
Accepting the appointment of Chief Executive of West Midlands SHA, Ian Cumming said:
I am delighted to have been appointed and I am very much looking forward to joining the Strategic Health Authority and contributing to the great work already underway.
Notes to Editors
1. Bill McCarthy has operated at Board level in the NHS, central government and local government for the last 8 years. He is an economist by training. He is currently Chief Executive, City of York Council. He was previously Director of Planning and Performance, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (2000 – 2002), Director of Strategic Development, West Yorkshire SHA (2002 – 2005) and Director General, Department of Health (2005 – 2007) responsible for health & social care strategy, system reform and policy development and implementation.
2. Ian Cumming has 25 years experience in the NHS, and has been a Chief Executive for 14 years in acute hospitals and a PCT. A healthcare scientist background, Ian has a proven track record of delivery of both strategic and operational management challenges in the NHS. He has a particular interest in developing clinical staff as leaders and in medical education. This is demonstrated in his role as Vice Chairman of the UK’s Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board. Ian also holds the position of Honorary Professor at Lancaster University Management School.
3. Ian Cumming will take up his post in June 2009 and Bill McCarthy in August 2009.
(Source – News Distribution Service for Government and the Public Sector)