NHS England London region have announced the new Chair for North West London and North Central London Integrated Care Boards (ICB).
Mike Bell will Chair both organisations, starting his new role today, and will eventually become the Chair of the newly merged ICB when it comes into effect in April 2026.
Mike joins us from South West London ICB, where he was appointed Chair in 2023. He has more than 25 years’ experience in senior roles in the NHS, serving on the boards of strategic health authorities and as vice chair of NHS London, so I’m pleased to say coming to us with a wealth of experience. He has helped to shape hospital and community services at other NHS trusts in the capital to deliver higher quality care and led reforms to improve health and care in local communities. Mike’s biography is attached.
In the chair role, Mike will play a crucial role with the CEO in shaping our new remit as a strategic commissioner, delivering on the 10-year plan for our collective circa 4.5m residents, and supporting us to deliver our focus on neighbourhood health, tackling inequality, improving patient experiences of health services, and achieving better health outcomes for residents. Mike will be a vital part of our Joint Transition Board ensuring oversight, and providing constructive check and challenge on our developing detailed organisational structure and delivery plan to ensure we manage the change well to achieve these ambitious outcomes for our communities.
Dame Caroline Clarke, Regional Director for NHS England in London said:
“ICBs have a critical role to play in the future of our NHS, improving population health, reducing inequalities and ensuring access to high-quality care.
“I’m pleased we’ve been able to appoint experienced and talented chairs to lead our ICBs in London. I look forward to continuing to work with them as they build on the significant progress they have already made to realise the ambitions of the 10 Year Health Plan and make London the best global city in which to receive health and care services.”
Mike Bell said:
“I’m thrilled to be taking up the Chair role and to be working with NCL and NWL to ensure the merger is a success. Both ICBs have a record of excellence that will stand us in good stead as we bring together the best of both organisations. I will work with the Exec teams to help make sure that we can fulfil our new role as strategic commissioners within the reduced financial envelope and ensure excellent health services for local residents, that meets their needs and delivers better health outcomes for them. I look forward to meeting staff and working closely with the joint Executive Team and partners.”
Anita Charlesworth, Acting Chair of North West London ICB, said:
“North West London will hugely benefit from Mike Bell’s wealth of experience as a chair and his deep commitment to improving health care services in London. It has been a great privilege to be acting chair for the last 6 months and I am delighted to continue working in North West London as non-executive director as we move forward with Mike as Chair.’
Along with the announcement of our new Chair, NHS England has also today announced other ICB Chair appointments across England. This follows the reforms to ICBs that were announced earlier this year. Details have been published on the NHS England website.
Following today’s announcement, the new Chief Executive for North West London and North Central London ICB will be announced as soon as the process has completed, which we expect to be imminently