New Chief Executive For The Royal Institute Of Public Health

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 31 Mar 2008 - 15:00 PDT

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Professor Richard Parish, current Chief Executive for the Royal Society of Health (RSH), joins the Royal Institute of Public Health (RIPH) as its Interim CEO following the retirement of Robert Silbermann. Professor Parish has also been named Chief Executive Designate when the two organisations merge later this year.

Speaking about his new role, Professor Parish said:
"I am absolutely delighted to be leading the RSH and RIPH into the upcoming merger. This is a very exciting time for public health and I am looking forward to taking up the challenge to create a truly active and dynamic organisation, providing a stronger voice and a clear vision for the future of public health".

Professor Parish joined the RSH in July 2005. Previous to that he was a consultant to the World Health Organisation for the development of the European Strategy of Child and Adolescent Health. He was also Project Leader for the 2005 European Health Report.

These achievements follow a long track record in health promotion. He has served as a Member of the Health Education Council, and Director of Operations for the Health Promotion Authority for Wales. Subsequently he moved to the Yorkshire and Humberside area to set up the first multidisciplinary NHS higher education college. He later became Director of the School of Health and Community Studies at Sheffield Hallam University and Professor of Public Health. A similar appointment followed at the University of York. The turn of the Millennium saw him move to London to oversee the closure of the Health Education Authority and the inauguration of the Health Development Agency.

Commenting on Professor Parish's appointment, Chair of the RSH Dr. Selwyn Hodge said: "In just over two years with the RSH, Richard has re-energised and re-focused the work of the Society. His forward-looking vision, networking skills and understanding of global health issues have all helped to increase our influence and improve joint working with our public health partners. I am confident that the same drive and sense of purpose will be apparent in Richard's leadership of the RSH, the RIPH and the new merged organisation."

Notes

- The Royal Institute of Public Health was founded in 1856. Based in London, it is a leading independent body with an international reputation dedicated to the promotion, practice and protection of the highest standards of public health.

- It offers a wide range of public health related qualifications delivered through an extensive network of training centres nationwide.

- We have an international membership representing a cross-section of health professionals and hygiene specialists whose work involves the protection and improvement of the public health.

- The Royal Institute enjoys the patronage of Her Majesty The Queen, an honour that has been conferred by the Sovereign continuously since 1897. The Royal Institute is a Registered Charity

Royal Institute of Public Health