• Ian Trenholm appointed as the new chief executive of the CQC
• Trenholm will replace Sir David Behan in the Summer
• We welcome the appointment and pay tribute to Sir David Behan's leadership

Ian Trenholm, the current chief executive of the NHS Blood and Transplant Authority, has been appointed as the next chief executive of the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

He will take over from Sir David Behan who will step down in July following six years at the regulator. 

Responding to the announcement, the chief executive of NHS Providers, Chris Hopson, said: 

“We welcome Ian Trenholm’s appointment and look forward to working with him.

“He brings a wealth of leadership experience across a range of sectors which will stand him in good stead for the challenges he will face in this role.

“I believe he has the qualities required to lead the CQC successfully, as it moves to towards a more intelligence-driven and risk-based approach to inspections.

It is important that the CQC continues to focus on ensuring its regulatory approach is proportionate and not overly burdensome, and delivers value for money.

“As our recent survey of NHS trust leaders showed, it is important that the CQC continues to focus on ensuring its regulatory approach is proportionate and not overly burdensome, and delivers value for money.

“The CQC will also have to adapt to the move to closer integration, supporting trusts as they collaborate with local partners.

“I would like to pay tribute to Sir David Behan who has provided outstanding leadership of the CQC, overseeing rapid and wide ranging improvements in a short period of time.

“Whilst providers have inevitable concerns about some of the ways in which the CQC inspection process works, there is a strong view that, under Sir David’s leadership, the CQC has made great strides towards a rigorous, effective and robust inspection regime that now serves both patients and providers well.”