Sir Christopher Kelly Announced As New Chairman Of The King's Fund

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 15 Sep 2009 - 2:00 PDT

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The King's Fund is delighted to announce that Sir Christopher Kelly will become the independent health charity's next chairman. Sir Christopher, who will succeed Sir Cyril Chantler, will start his appointment on 1 October 2010.

Sir Christopher Kelly is chairman of the NSPCC and of the Financial Ombudsman Service. He is also chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life and is leading a major inquiry into MPs' expenses. Sir Christopher was previously a civil servant. Between 1970 and 1995 he worked in HM Treasury, latterly as director of monetary and fiscal policy and then director of the budget and public finances. Between 1995 and 1997 he was head of policy at the then Department of Social Security. From 1997 to 2000 he was Permanent Secretary of the Department of Health.

Commenting on the appointment, Sir Cyril Chantler, who will complete his six-year term of office as chairman next year, said: 'We are delighted that Sir Christopher has agreed to become the next chair of the Fund. As a former permanent secretary at the Department of Health and with 25 years in HM Treasury, he will bring a wealth of experience to take the Fund forward in what is a very exciting time for the organisation. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the Fund - over the past few years our profile and expertise in shaping policy, transforming services and supporting leaders in the health service has been strengthened. I look forward to handing over the chair to Sir Christopher and watching the organisation continue to provide a valuable resource to those working in health and social care.'

Sir Christopher said: 'The Fund is recognised as the foremost, independent commentator on health care in this country. It makes a major contribution to the development of health and social care thinking and practice by combining its expertise in research, policy analysis and leadership to work directly with clinicians and managers to help them drive up standards and deliver better value. I am very much looking forward to supporting the organisation and overseeing its development at what is going to be a very testing time for the NHS.'

Sir Christopher will take up his new role at the Fund in October 2010 when he steps down from the board of the NSPCC after completing his nine-year term. He will remain as chairman of the Financial Ombudsman Service. At the Fund, Sir Christopher will lead a board of trustees who work with the chief executive and senior team to set the organisation's strategy, oversee its investments and monitor performance, as well as taking overall responsibility for governance.

The Fund recently announced that its chief executive, Niall Dickson, is to leave the organisation in January to become the new chief executive of the General Medical Council. The process for recruiting a replacement has now started.

1. A biography and picture of Professor Sir Cyril Chantler are available here.

Source
The King's Fund

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