Melinda Johnson, Commercial Director of the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), has joined the supervisory board of GS1 UK, the global data standards organisation.
As the organisation responsible for setting the standards which many across the NHS and wider health sector utilise in their solutions and daily work, her appointment will be of keen interest to those involved in the industry.
Strengthening the healthcare expertise within GS1’s supervisory board, Ms Johnson’s appointment will ensure patients and consumers remain at the heart of the standards being set by the organisation.
Having joined the DHSC in June 2017 after five years serving as Group Commercial Director at the Department of Transport, Ms Johnson holds a wealth of industry experience. She also served as Director of Property, Digital, Security and Information while at the Department of Transport, as well as having previously held roles at the Civil Service and Department of Education.
A Chartered Procurement Professional and fellow of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS), she also has experience from her early career in IT procurement within large organisations and wider public sector policy while working at CIPS – skills and experience which can help bolster her role with GS1.
Speaking of the appointment, she said: ““I am really looking forward to working with the team on the next iteration of GS1 UK’s strategy. Global standards are fundamental to the efficient running of a business and the data they facilitate is worth its weight in gold.
The GS1 UK team have a positive culture, which I think is a huge strength coupled with their neutrality, which helps them solve a wide range of industry challenges. The not for profit status helps underpin this facilitation role and I hope to use my commercial experience to help them build a plan to solve the problems of the future.”
Chris Tyas, Chairman of GS1 UK, added: “Melinda is a much welcome addition to our board, strengthening our expertise in the healthcare sector and providing insights ensuring that the informed, protected consumer or patient remains at the heart of our strategy.
It is critical in these times of unprecedented change that we continue to bring diversity to our board so we can draw on the business expertise as well as their specialist areas of know-how. In that way we will continue to challenge our thinking and develop more innovative ways to support our members.”
