This week we are focusing on a committee chaired by our new non-executive director, Simon Perry. A non-executive director is someone who sits on a board, in our case the NHS NW London ICB Board, but doesn’t have any executive or day-to-day operational functions. The fact that non-executive directors are independent in an organisation helps give another perspective and adds a ‘fresh pair of eyes’. They act as an important check to make sure everything is happening as it should.
Simon Perry is chair of our Audit and Risk Committee, which has a range of functions around integrated governance, risk management, internal control, as well as internal and external audits.
The Audit and Risk Committee is one of NHS NW London’s key board committees. It helps provide assurance that we are complying with the law and external rules set by NHS England and others.
The committee has important responsibilities in other areas too, including counter-fraud, freedom to speak up and whistleblowing. These are important functions in an organisation which is accountable to our residents, stakeholders and other public bodies.
Simon Perry says:
“I’ve joined the ICB because I want to play my part in addressing the huge challenges facing the healthcare system – improving the quality and consistency of health services, tackling inequalities and helping our residents and communities live healthier lives. These are big and long-standing challenges that we as a board are determined to tackle.”