NHS England and NHS Improvement have announced the appointment of Clare Panniker as the new Regional Director for the East of England.
A former nurse who has spent over 30 years working in the NHS, Ms Panniker will join the regional team from Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, where she has been Chief Executive since it was formed in April 2020.
Ms Panniker has worked in the NHS in Essex for ten years in a range of roles, including Chief Executive of Basildon Hospital and then subsequently Mid Essex Hospitals and Southend Hospital.
As well as this, she also mentors other aspiring NHS leaders from both clinical and management backgrounds, is the Chair of the NHS Employers Policy Board, a Governor of Anglia Ruskin University and a trustee of the NHS Retirement Fellowship.
Ms Panniker takes over from Dr Sean O’Kelly, who has been covering the role following the retirement of Ann Radmore last month.
Commenting, Ms Panniker said:
“It has without question been a challenging time for the NHS over the last few years and it has been a real privilege working with my colleagues at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust.
“Having created the new Trust, and then navigated the significant impact of Covid-19 as one of the largest Trusts in the country, the time is right for me to take on a new challenge and I am keen to deliver on key priorities for the NHS including those in routine care, cancer, mental health, primary care and many more.
“I have worked in Essex for ten years and the role of Regional Director for the East of England offers a unique opportunity to help develop our Integrated Care Systems and to focus on how we can improve the provision of healthcare and outcomes for the region.
“As part of NHS England’s National Executive Team, I look forward to influencing future policy and strategy for the East of England.”
NHS Chief Executive, Amanda Pritchard added:
“I am delighted that Clare will be joining the NHS England Executive Team in the summer.
“As the NHS now works hard to rebuild and recover services following the impact of Covid-19, Clare’s decades of frontline and leadership experience, and most importantly her commitment to delivering the best possible services and outcomes for patients, will be a huge asset not just to Integrated Care Systems in the East of England, but across the country too.”
