We are pleased to announce that Frances O’Callaghan has been appointed as CEO for North Central London (NCL) ICB and for North West London (NWL) ICB. She will also become CEO for the new merged organisation when it comes into effect in April 2026.
Frances has worked in the NHS for many years and is currently the Chief Executive Officer for North Central London ICB. Prior to working in ICBs she worked across London in executive roles in acute and community NHS trusts, in the private sector at PwC, and had a key role in launching King’s Health Partners, one of the UK’s flagship academic health-science centres.
Chair of North Central London ICB and North West London ICB, Mike Bell, said:
“I’d like to congratulate Frances on her appointment and I look forward to working with her in this new role as we focus on successfully delivering the merger, focus on strategic commissioning, tackling health inequalities across our 13 boroughs, and continuing to deliver high quality care for our patients and communities.
“Frances has an impressive track record in leadership roles across the NHS and is a brilliant appointment for this new role, leading what will become the biggest ICB in the country, whilst I know it is important to her and I alike that we maintain a focus on and connection to our local communities and partners.
Dame Caroline Clarke, Regional Director for NHS England in London, said: “I am delighted to welcome Frances to her new role. Her experience leading NHS services in north London over the past few years makes her the ideal person to bring together North West London and North Central London ICBs and to deliver on behalf of our population and staff. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Rob Hurd for his significant contribution to the NHS in London.”
Reacting to the appointment Frances O’Callaghan said:
“I am excited to be taking up this new role and look forward to working with partners, colleagues and communities from across all our boroughs.
“As strategic commissioners we will be focused on a neighbourhood level, preventative health approach that helps people stay as well as possible. When people need health services, I want to ensure their experience is positive and that we improve health outcomes, particularly for those experiencing the most health inequity.
“To achieve these ambitions, I know how important it is to ensure we hear and understand what community health needs are, that this informs how we commission and innovate, and that we collaborate with our many local and specialist partnerships to be successful.”