Movers and Shakers news roundup

  • 28 January 2022
Movers and Shakers news roundup

The first movers and shakers of 2022 features appointments at Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, a new chair at NHS England and a new executive director of strategy at Digital Health and Care Wales.


Dione Rogers is to join Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust as its chief nursing information officer (CNIO) and deputy chief nurse.

Rogers is currently CNIO at Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.


Richard Meddings has been appointed the new chair of NHS England, following a fair and open competition.

Meddings previously served on the HM Treasury Board and as chair of TSB Bank, and is a non-executive director at Credit Suisse.

As chair of NHS England he will be focusing on the health service’s recovery from the pandemic and expanding its workforce.

Meddings will begin the four-year role in March 2022 and the position carries an annual salary of £63,000, which he intends to donate to charity. Meddings will replace the current chair Lord Prior, who has been in post since October 2018.

He said: “It is a great honour to have been appointed as chair of NHS England.

“It is clear that there are a number of significant and long running challenges to address, many of which have been made sharper by the consequences of the Covid pandemic, but as I commence the role I am humbled by and pay a huge tribute to the people of the NHS for their heroic work and their continuing commitment.”


Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust has appointed Anthony Hassall as its new chief executive.

Hassall is currently regional chief people officer at NHS England and Improvement, North West, and before that was chief accountable officer at Salford Clinical Commissioning Group for six years.

He will replace current chief executive, Claire Molloy, who is retiring in April.

Hassall said: “I am thrilled about joining Pennine Care and consider it a real privilege to have been asked to lead the organisation on this next part of its journey.

“Pennine Care has an inspiring vision, strong values and big ambitions and my aim will be to continue to improve services for local people and communities and help reduce health inequalities.

“There are of course still many challenges ahead, in terms of service and workforce pressures and the impact of the pandemic. Pennine Care however has such skilled and committed people that there is no doubt in my mind that we will rise to the challenge and I am excited about all that lies ahead.

“I look forward to working with all of its fantastic colleagues, service users, carers and partners in my new role.”


Ifan Evans has been appointed executive director of strategy at Digital Health and Care Wales.

Evans is currently the director for technology, digital and transformation for the Welsh Government.

This meant he was responsible for writing Welsh Government’s A Healthier Wales strategy and has led digital health and care policy in Wales since 2019 –  setting a new strategic direction, strengthening delivery arrangements, and significantly increasing investment into digital transformation.

Evans said: “I’m delighted to be joining DHCW. Digital services have never been more important to the people of Wales. This is a great opportunity to lead on innovation and strategy, and to work even more closely with the team at DHCW and digital leaders across NHS Wales.”


Heather Cook and Robert Harris have joined the advisory board at health tech company, HN.

Cook’s recent experience includes building the brand of Brain in Hand, a mental health digital support system.

While Harris was previously CEO of LHG, an NHS England ‘Multispecialty Community Provider’ Vanguard organisation, and the largest primary care general practice partnership in the NHS. He also served as NHS England’s national director of strategy.

Joachim Werr, HN Founder and executive chair, said: “We are delighted to welcome Heather and Robert to the Advisory Board and look forward to work with such experienced and successful company builders. I would also like to take this moment to thank Wendy Saviour for her immense contribution during her time on the board – it has been a pleasure having her with us and we wish her a happy retirement.”


PA Consulting has confirmed that Kelly Olsen has joined as its chief information officer (CIO).

Olsen joins PA from SThree, where she led its global technology and operations functions. Olsen has also held CIO positions across global professional services firms, including Cushman and Wakefield and RPS, and has served as CIO for the UK’s NHS Property Services, where she defined the transformation and technology strategy.

She said: I’m delighted to join at such an important time for PA. I feel energised to work for an organisation that has a clear purpose and cares deeply about its clients and its people. I’m really passionate about enabling teams to work collaboratively, and to constantly innovate for their clients.”

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