Trust chair to lead new national body
We are honoured that our trust chair, Ian Peters, is today announced as the first chair of the new UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) set up to protect the country against infectious diseases and other threats to the nation’s health.
This prestigious government appointment is in recognition of Ian's leadership steering the board of Barts Health on our journey of improvement, and in supporting the trust executive team during the pandemic.
Ian takes on his new duties from the beginning of April, and unfortunately for us they will mean he has progressively less time to devote to his trust role. It is therefore with great regret that Ian has served notice he will step down as chair of Barts Health once a successor is found.
Alwen Williams, group chief executive, said: “We are delighted that Ian will continue to be our chair for the time being, as we develop and implement our plans for the next phase of the pandemic. We can also take pride in his new appointment as a tribute to the transformation that we have all achieved under his guiding hand.
“I would personally like to thank Ian for his generous support, wise advice, and enthusiastic inspiration. We wish him well in this new challenge, and look forward to working as closely with him as usual to secure a smooth transition to a new chair in due course.”
In announcing the creation of the UKHSA, Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, paid tribute to the “pivotal role” that Ian has played “in overseeing the transformation of Barts Health and its leading contribution during the pandemic.”
Ian Peters said: “It is a rare privilege to be given the opportunity to shape a new organisation of critical national importance and international significance. That this has come about is in no small part due to the outstanding efforts of everyone in #TeamBartsHealth and among our partners in overcoming great challenges – especially during the last traumatic year – and setting the trust on its path to transformation."
“The UKSA has an important remit to collaborate with others on addressing health inequalities, about which I have learned much from my time in east London. I would like to thank Alwen for her inspirational leadership, and all of the team for their wonderful support, commitment to patient care, and drive to improve over the last four years. I will do my utmost to ensure a smooth transition to my successor.
He added: “My time at Barts Health has been a period of great personal learning, and it has been an inspiration to work closely with such amazing people for the good of our communities.”