The government has confirmed former health minister Lord David Prior as its preferred candidate to be the next chair of NHS England.
Lord Prior has previous experience in high-level leadership roles within health. He is currently chairman at University College London Hospital NHS Trust and has previously held roles as chairman of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and Norfolk, Norwich University NHS Foundation Trust, as well as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Health in the Conservative government between 2015 and 2017.
Lord Prior would take over from Sir Malcolm Grant, who served two terms as the chairman of NHS England. The appointment will be scrutinised by the Health Select Committee and Lord Prior is invited to attend a pre-appointment hearing on 10 September 2018.
Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock says: “We love the NHS and are determined to guarantee it for everyone for the long term. Lord Prior brings huge experience to this important role where he will help deliver the long-term plan for the NHS.
“He is enormously qualified, having led an NHS Trust, been a former health minister and a chairman of the Care Quality Commission.
“I look forward to working with Lord Prior closely and want to thank the outgoing Sir Malcolm Grant for his service to the role and the NHS.”
