19.08.20
NICE appoints two new directors in key positions
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has announced the appointment of two new directors in key positions in newly-formed directorates.
Jennifer Howells, who currently serves as an independent healthcare consultant and has previously held 16 years’ experience in the health system, has been appointed as NICE’s new Director of Finance, Strategy and Transformation.
Most recently, she was a Regional Director for NHS England Improvement, having previously also worked as Regional Finance Director for NHS England and had experience as both a Chief Executive and as Finance Director for several commissioning and provider trusts.
As well as serving as Chief Finance Officer for NICE, she will also bring a wealth of experience in strategic planning and transformation. She will take over from Acting Director Catherine Wilkinson on September 1, succeeding Ben Bennet who left NICE earlier this year after 13 years in the post.
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NICE have also appointed Dr Felix Greaves as Director of Science, Evidence and Analytics.
Currently Dr Greaves serves as Deputy Director of Science and Strategic Information and as the Head of Science and Engineering at Public Health England.
Already well-versed with the work done by NICE, having been closely involved in the development of the organisation’s public health guidelines, he too joins with 16 years’ experience in the health service, having previously worked as a senior clinical lecturer and a registrar, as well as Clinical Advisor to the Chief Medical Officer and as a governor of an NHS foundation trust.
Speaking about the new appointments, NICE Chief Executive Professor Gillian Leng, said: “I am delighted to welcome Jennifer and Felix to our senior team at NICE.
“We’re looking forward to implementing changes and developing a new strategy at NICE, and the knowledge and skills that Jennifer and Felix will bring are important in maintaining our position as a global leader in health technology evaluation.”
The new directors will also work closely with senior management to lead on the delivery of the new NICE strategic plan and on the NICE Connect transformation programme. Their work on these projects will encompass a restructure of how NICE produces and presents guidelines, as well as the development of a five-year plan which will guide the organisation’s work going forward.