Today we can announce that the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, has given approval to Paul Najsarek to become the new Chair of North Central London Integrated Care Board.
The Chair will play a vital role in ensuring progress against our ambitious Population Health and Integrated Care Strategy, bringing together people and partners to improve the health outcomes and experience of local residents, reduce inequality and support people and communities to stay healthy and well.
The Chair will provide oversight, challenge and support to the ICB, working closely with the Executive and chairing the Board, to ensure a wide range of perspectives are considered and that the strategies and priorities are delivered, with resources used effectively.
Paul brings a wealth of experience, gained across over 30 years in predominantly local government and healthcare settings, including a decade at Chief Executive level. Most recently he was Chief Executive at Ealing Council for six years until 2022.
He was appointed following a competitive selection process, led by NHS England.
Caroline Clarke, Regional Director for the NHS in London, said:
“The chair of any integrated care board is an extremely important position, so it gives me great pleasure to announce the appointment of Paul Najsarek to North Central London.
“As the Darzi report sets out, staff are the beating heart of the NHS with a shared passion and determination for making the NHS better for patients – but it is also clear they are facing unprecedented challenges. ICBs are integral to the work that needs to be done, working with NHS England and the government, to create a 10-year-plan to improve healthcare.
“I am really looking forward to Paul’s extensive and broad experience bringing real value to supporting the clear plans and progress that North Central London is already implementing.”
Paul’s experience includes:
- Non-Executive Director at South East London ICS since July 2022.
- He has been a Governor at the Health Foundation since 2023, acts as a strategic advisor to the CQC, and has led council inspections.
- Paul was interim Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman during 2023/24.
- Paul’s partnership experience includes as a local authority Chief Executive for a decade, including six years at Ealing Council, leading for SOLACE on health and care, and adult services for London Councils.
- He was the CEO lead for Thrive LDN, a London wide initiative to promote mental health wellbeing and as was part of the central Government team that drafted ‘Every Child Matters’ transforming children’s services nationally.
Commenting on his appointment Paul Najsarek, said:
“I am delighted to take on the role of Chair for the North Central London Integrated Care Board.
“There are some fantastic foundations in the local health and social care system, with world leading expertise and specialist care, and committed, talented staff working hard to provide the very best care
“However, there are undoubtedly challenges too.
“NCL is a place where partnerships are central and where different organisations are aligned around a shared population health ambition. There are already many examples of how system working is making a positive difference to patients and residents.
“I am excited about the opportunity to bring people together, building on the positive work already in place to improve the health outcomes and experience of local residents and reduce the inequality that we know affects so many in our communities.
“By continuing to work effectively, collaboratively and strategically, we want to continue to enable local people live longer, healthier lives, taking a preventative approach wherever possible and ensuring access to high quality health care for everyone in our community when they need it.”
Frances O’Callaghan, Chief Executive of North Central London Integrated Care Board, welcomed the appointment:
“It is my pleasure to welcome Paul as our new chair. Improving the health and wellbeing of residents and reducing inequalities needs partners across the whole system to work effectively and ambitiously together. The wealth of local government and healthcare experience that Paul brings from his 30 years will be invaluable in supporting North Central London and we are all looking forward to working with Paul to achieve this.”
Paul will take up his new role immediately.