• NHS Improvement appoints new chief executive
• Ian Dalton will take over the role from Jim Mackey on 4 December 2017
• We welcome the appointment and say Ian has a good understanding of the pressures and challenges trusts face and what support they will need to succeed

NHS Improvement has announced that Ian Dalton has been appointed to the role of chief executive to start on 4 December.

He has been chief executive of Imperial College Healthcare Trust for the last four months.

Responding to confirmation that Ian Dalton will be the next chief executive of NHS Improvement, the chief executive of NHS Providers, Chris Hopson said:

“NHS Providers, and the trusts we represent, welcome the appointment of Ian Dalton as the new chief executive of NHS Improvement. Ian brings a wealth of experience through his work in senior positions at NHS national, regional and trust levels as well as blue chip experience beyond the NHS through his recent role with BT.

Ian has a good understanding of the pressures and challenges trusts face and what support they will need to succeed in a difficult strategic context.

“Ian has a good understanding of the pressures and challenges trusts face and what support they will need to succeed in a difficult strategic context where demand is growing rapidly, finances are heavily constrained and there are widespread workforce shortages.

“Ian takes over from Jim Mackey who has shown commitment, judgement and skill in setting up NHS Improvement and ensuring the provider sector has recovered and stabilised provider finances. We wish him well as he returns to Northumbria Healthcare and thank him for the huge contribution he’s made over the last two years.

“We look forward to working in close partnership with Ian Dalton and are confident that, under his and Dido Harding’s leadership, NHS Improvement will provide the support and oversight the sector needs”.