This site is intended for health professionals only


Health technology chief appointed as NHS England commissioning director

NHS England has appointed Matthew Swindells – who is managing director of public health at a health technology company – as national director for commissioning operations and information.

Mr Swindells, who has held previous senior management roles within the NHS, will be replacing Dame Barbara Hakin, joining NHS England in late spring.

Currently managing director for population health with Cerner, he was previously chief executive of the Royal Surrey County Hospital as well as Guys and St Thomas’ Hospital, Heatherwood and Wexham Park hospitals.

He has also been a director general at the Department of Health and has led the health team at the Cabinet Office.

NHS England said Mr Swindells will divest himself of any financial interests in his current employer, and recuse himself from any official dealings with them for the subsequent 12 months after taking up post with NHS England.

He will be paid the same amount as Dame Barbara, who is set to retire at the end of this month.

NHS England chair Professor Sir Malcolm Grant, who chaired the appointing panel, said: ’We are delighted that Matthew will be returning to the NHS at this important moment, as we begin to drive major improvements in key areas such as cancer, mental health and primary care services, and the whole Health Service moves to implement the Five Year Forward View.’

Mr Swindells said: ’After five stimulating years working to improve health care around the world, I’m really pleased to be coming back to help lead the NHS at this ”high stakes” moment in its history.’

NHS England said Mr Swindell will be leading key aspects of NHS England’s work to implement the Five Year Forward View, alongside two other senior appointments also announced today.

Luton and Dunstable University Hospital Foundation Trust chief executive Pauline Philip will join NHS England as national urgent and emergency care director, while former Staffordshire County Council head of business improvement Anu Singh has already joined as director of patient and public participation and insight.