NHS Providers, the membership body representing every NHS hospital, mental health, community and ambulance service in England has appointed Julian Hartley as its next chief executive.

Julian, who is currently chief executive at The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, will take up his new role with NHS Providers, on 1 February 2023.   

Announcing the appointment, the chair of NHS Providers, Ron Kerr, said:

"I am delighted that Julian is joining us to take up this very important and challenging role.

"NHS Providers is a successful and well-regarded membership organisation.

"I know Julian will be an excellent chief executive who will lead the next stage of our work, delivering our strategic vision and helping members – together with their system partners – to drive improvements for patients, service users and the communities they serve during what is a period of unprecedented challenge for health and care services.

"We have been through a fair and thorough process to find the right person to provide leadership and support for our members, to carry authority and influence with stakeholders, and to enthuse and inspire our staff team, reflecting our values and our commitment to race equality.

"I am confident that Julian, who brings a wealth of experience and a long track record of success, has all the qualities and skills to build on NHS Providers' achievements. His work at Leeds, including the implementation of The Leeds Way and Leeds Improvement Method, and the leadership he has provided in response to the pandemic, has been very impressive.

"I would like to express my thanks to our board members who have overseen this process with diligence and insight, and to NHS Providers’ leadership and staff teams who have maintained the organisation’s very high standards through this period of uncertainty.

"I would also like to place on record my particular thanks to Saffron Cordery, who as deputy and then interim chief executive has led NHS Providers with great dynamism, wisdom and integrity."

Julian Hartley said:

"I would like to thank Ron Kerr and the NHS Providers board for giving me the opportunity to take up this very important role for trusts, their partners and the wider NHS.

"I am motivated by the opportunity to champion and advocate for NHS organisations at a time of great challenge and pressure faced by all who work in the health service.

"I want to bring my experience and insight to the wider debate about the NHS at a time when we face one of the most challenging periods in its history.

"I owe the NHS everything in terms of the opportunities and learning it has offered me and I want to help in securing a positive future for the NHS at this critical juncture.

"Given the current severe workforce, operational and financial challenges faced by the NHS, the task of highlighting and explaining the work of trusts and their partners in tackling these has never been more important."