Dr Sam Roberts, Chief Executive of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, will step down at the end of 2025 after four years in the role, to focus on supporting her children.
Under her leadership, NICE has delivered major reforms in how health technologies are assessed and adopted across the NHS, helping to improve patient access and system efficiency.
During her tenure, Dr Roberts oversaw:
- A 25% increase in the speed of drug assessments through proportionate evaluation methods
- New frameworks to assess interventions targeting severe diseases and health inequalities
- A 30-fold increase in digital and AI technology evaluations, accelerating innovation in the NHS
Sharmila Nebhrajani OBE, Chairman of NICE, said:
"Sam’s many achievements during her time at the organisation have speeded up the pace of work of the Institute. They have also helped it develop its authoritative and evidence-based approach to the massive possibilities provided by the ongoing digital revolution in health. Her work has been of real value to patients, to the health system and to the life sciences sector.”
She will continue to lead NICE through the remainder of the year, focusing on delivery of the organisation’s business plan and its three core objectives from the 10-Year Plan:
- Mandated reimbursement of NICE-approved health technologies
- Dynamic assessments for smarter NHS spending
- Streamlined regulatory pathways in collaboration with the MHRA
Recruitment for her successor will begin immediately.
Image credit: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
