NHS appoints new chief executive at Northamptonshire healthcare commissioning organisation

NHS Nene Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) have appointed John Wardell, who is the current deputy chief officer from NHS Tower Hamlets CCG, as its chief executive/accountable officer.

The organisation is responsible for the majority of the local healthcare budget for most of Northamptonshire

Mr Wardell has over 20 years’ managerial experience in industry, local authority and the NHS. He has been in his present post at Tower Hamlets CCG since 2012, undertaking strategic responsibility for all non-acute commissioning including service transformation, integration, the Better Care Fund, mental health and innovation.

He is accountable for the management of the community health services and primary care commissioning contract. In addition, John acted as director of integration across Waltham Forest, East London and the City CCGs and senior responsible officer for the Integrated Care Programme.

He will replace Stuart Rees, who has been on secondment from his chief finance officer role at Nene CCG since the departure of Ben Gowland in April this year.

Nene CCG is chaired by Dr Darin Seiger. Dr Seiger said “I am delighted to announce that we have appointed John as our new chief Eexecutive/accountable officer. I would like to offer our thanks and appreciation to Stuart Rees who took up the role of acting accountable officer three months ago and has provided strong leadership and continuity to the work of the CCG. As you all know the health economy is still facing a number of challenges and the work that has been led by Stuart in recent months has put us in a strong position as we move forward.

“Stuart will work closely with John and I over the coming months to ensure a smooth and seamless transition so that we can continue to strengthen our organisation”.