The Care Quality Commission has announced that Sir Julian Hartley is stepping down as Chief Executive with immediate effect. The role will be temporarily filled by Dr Arun Chopra, currently Chief Inspector of Mental Health, until a permanent successor is appointed.
Sir Julian Hartley’s departure marks a significant change in leadership at the CQC, the independent regulator of health and social care services in England. Recruitment for a permanent Chief Executive will begin shortly.
This decision has come after Health Secretary Wes Streeting has launched an inquiry into maternity care at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, where Hartley was Chief Executive for a decade.
Commenting on his decision to step down, Hartley said:
"This has been an incredibly difficult decision. However, I feel that my current role as Chief Executive of CQC has become incompatible with the important conversations happening about care at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, including during the time I was Chief Executive there. I am so sorry for the fact that some families suffered harm and loss during this time.
"I will be giving whatever support I can to the inquiry into maternity services at Leeds, so families get the transparency and answers that they need and deserve – and I want to avoid my connection with the Trust impacting on CQC’s work to rebuild people’s confidence in the regulator.
"I am hugely proud of what has been achieved since I joined CQC at the end of last year and of the progress we have made in reshaping our culture to become an organisation that listens better to people, to providers and to our own staff – and acts on what we hear. I leave grateful for the part I was able to play and confident that the better approach being built will be owned, and informed, by colleagues, providers and stakeholders with a shared vision.
"I know that the four outstanding Chief Inspectors appointed to lead on our specialist regulation, alongside our compassionate and dedicated staff, will ensure that we continue on our journey to being a strong effective regulator that people can trust to improve health and social care. I will miss being a part of the journey, but I believe the decision I have made is the right one to help CQC reach that destination."
Dr Arun Chopra, who joined the CQC as Chief Inspector of Mental Health in March 2025, brings extensive experience in clinical leadership and regulation. His appointment as Interim Chief Executive ensures continuity during this transitional period.
The CQC plays a vital role in ensuring that health and social care services across England are safe, effective, compassionate, and high-quality. The leadership change comes at a time when the organisation continues to evolve its regulatory approach to meet the needs of patients, providers, and professionals.
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