The three Clinical Commissioning Groups in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) have appointed Andy Williams as their first joint chief executive.
Andy, currently in a similar role for Sandwell and West Birmingham CCG, will take up the role of chief executive for Leicester City, West Leicestershire and East Leicestershire and Rutland CCGs once a formal start date is agreed. He will also lead the STP for the LLR area.
An experienced and hugely respected NHS senior leader, Andy possesses a wealth of experience in both NHS commissioning and provider organisations – both in his native Wales and in England. He has led Sandwell and West Birmingham CCG since its inception in 2013.
Commenting on his appointment, Andy said: “Whilst I am sad in some ways to leave Sandwell and West Birmingham and will take many great memories with me, I am excited about the scale of the opportunity that exists in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. It is clear to me that there is already much fantastic work taking place across the three CCGs and within the system as a whole, and I believe there is a real opportunity to help LLR move forwards and become one of the best Integrated Care Systems in the country.”
“Given the challenges we face across the NHS the time is right to deliver a real step change in how services are organised and delivered so that patients and their families have a better quality and experience of care, while also bringing health and care partners together to address some of the challenges that often get in the way of doing what is best for patients. I will be working tirelessly with the CCG chairs, governing bodies, staff and our system partners to make that a reality.”
Professor Mayur Lakhani, chair of West Leicestershire CCG and speaking on behalf of the three CCGs in LLR, added: “Andy is clearly an exceptional leader with a real clarity of vision and commitment to continued improvement across the organisations that he has led with such distinction. We are delighted that he is joining us and excited by the prospect of working with him going forward to improve the quality of care for all our patients.”
The appointment follows a decision by the Governing Bodies of all three CCGs at the end of last year to move to an integrated management structure. This represents the first the first of these appointments, with Andy Williams expected to lead the development of an integrated senior team over the course of the coming months.