Lord Prior of Brampton has been named as the government’s preferred new chair of NHS England, replacing Professor Sir Malcolm Grant.
Lord Prior was previously Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and also served at the Department of Health as Minister for NHS Productivity.
The Conservative peer was also formerly Chair of the Care Quality Commission, and is currently chair of University College London Hospitals Foundation Trust.
The appointment remains subject to scrutiny by the Commons health and social care committee, although its recommendation is not binding.
Health minister Matt Hancock said Lord Prior “brings huge experience to this important role where he will help deliver the long-term plan for the NHS.”
Mike Thompson, chief executive of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, welcomed the appointment.
“Lord Prior has demonstrated in his previous posts a strong commitment to getting innovative medicines and treatments to NHS patients faster.
I look forward to working with him in his new role to help deliver the Life Sciences Industrial Strategy and other key projects.
As we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the NHS, this is a great opportunity to work together to ensure that the UK can become an even stronger epicentre of science and innovative health-care,” he said.
