NHS Providers is delighted to announce that Sir Ron Kerr will take over as the next chair of NHS Providers on 1 January 2020, when the term of the current chair, Dame Gill Morgan, ends.

Ron has a long and distinguished career in health service management, including ten years as one of the country’s leading provider chief executives. His experience spans acute, community and primary care services, as well as mental health and social care, and he has worked in both provider and commissioning organisations.

He was the chief executive of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, one of England’s largest and most successful combined acute and community trusts. He has national level experience of the social care system and is currently independent chair of a sustainability and transformation partnership (STP).

Responding to Ron’s appointment the chief and deputy chief executives of NHS Providers, Chris Hopson and Saffron Cordery, said:

“This is an excellent appointment for the NHS, our provider members and NHS Providers as an organisation.

“Ron has an outstanding track record as a successful provider chief executive and as a champion of providing outstanding care to patients.

Ron has an outstanding track record as a successful provider chief executive and as a champion of providing outstanding care to patients.

   

“His senior level experience of leading across the complete range of health and care services and chairing one of the 42 new STPs is a perfect match for what our members need as the NHS moves to greater system working. As he showed in his recent review on how to empower frontline NHS leaders, Ron completely understands the challenges current leaders face.

He will be able to build on the outstanding contribution made over the last six years by our outgoing chair Dame Gill Morgan who has provided wise counsel and great support as we have grown to meet our members’ needs.

   

“He will be able to build on the outstanding contribution made over the last six years by our outgoing chair Dame Gill Morgan who has provided wise counsel and great support as we have grown to meet our members’ needs. She commands enormous respect and admiration across the health and care system and whilst we wish her well, we will miss her.”

Sir Ron Kerr said:

“The NHS plays a vital role in all our lives, and those who lead these services do a fantastic job in a rapidly changing world, where increasing demand, new technology and rising public expectations present ever greater challenges.

I look forward to having the opportunity to support them through the work of NHS Providers – helping to give the organisations they represent a public voice, explaining the context in which they operate, and seeking to influence key decision makers on their behalf.

   

“I look forward to having the opportunity to support them through the work of NHS Providers – helping to give the organisations they represent a public voice, explaining the context in which they operate, and seeking to influence key decision makers on their behalf.

“Looking ahead, it is clear that the NHS will need to continue to adapt and evolve, particularly as we embrace the move towards greater system working.”

Dame Gill Morgan said:

“Since becoming chair six years ago I have seen NHS Providers develop into one of the most influential and authoritative voices in health and care.

Since becoming chair six years ago I have seen NHS Providers develop into one of the most influential and authoritative voices in health and care.

   

“We now have 100% of providers in membership and that’s a huge tribute to Chris, Saffron, the board and the whole NHS Providers team.

“I hand the reins over to a much respected colleague who I know shares my commitment to putting patients at the heart of everything that NHS Providers does.

“I wish him and the team well.”

Sir Ron Kerr brings a wealth of experience to his forthcoming role with NHS Providers, which includes:

• general manager of North West and North Thames Regional Health Authorities
• chief executive of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust
• independent chair of  Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Sustainability and Transformation Partnership
• non-executive director at Department of Health and Social Care