NHS England has announced that it has appointed Sir James Mackey as its new chief executive officer (CEO), following Amanda Pritchard’s decision to step down from the role.
Mackey will be working closely with Pritchard for the next month as transition CEO, before formally taking up the position at the beginning of April.
He has extensive leadership experience at a local, regional and national level and is currently serving as chief executive of Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and national director of Elective Recovery.
Mackey was also previously chief executive of Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and chief executive of NHS Improvement, and was knighted in 2019 for his services to healthcare.
Mackey said: “I have always been very proud to work for the NHS and it will be an honour to lead the service through the next phase as we radically reshape the role of NHS England and work with the government to build an NHS that is fit for the future through the 10 Year Health Plan.”
Pritchard’s appointment as chief executive of NHS England in 2021 made her the first woman in the health service’s history to hold the post.
Responding to the announcement, Sarah Woolnough, chief executive of the King’s Fund, said: “The decision for new leadership comes at an extremely critical time for the NHS. Over the past few months, NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care have been working closely together to prepare the forthcoming 10 Year Plan to reform the NHS.
“It is crucial that the two organisations continue to work well together but equally important that NHS leaders retain operational and clinical independence for the day-to-day running of the service.
“Sir [James] Mackey is an experienced leader who we trust will make a positive impact as the healthcare system navigates this period of change.”