Beverley Bryant is set to leave System C and return to the NHS to take up a board position as chief digital information officer at Guy’s and St Thomas’ and Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trusts, Digital Health News can exclusively reveal.
In her new role, Bryant will be responsible for developing and delivering the digital strategy for both trusts and will also be accountable for identifying and managing the information risks, ensuring that both organisations have effective information governance systems and processes that comply with nationally set requirements.
Bryant said: “Those who have worked with me know that I have been on a personal crusade to drive digital transformation in the NHS for many years.
“I am really excited to be given this opportunity to help lead Kings and Guys and St Thomas’s on their transformation journey.”
In the joint board-level role, Bryant will report to both Dr Clive Kay, chief executive of King’s and Ian Abbs, chief executive of Guy’s and St. Thomas’, who have both welcomed her appointment.
Kay said: “With digital technology and applications becoming seamlessly integrated into people’s everyday lives, it is critical that King’s ensures that our patients can access their information and our services easily and equitably.
“Beverley’s broad and extensive experience at the intersection between health care and technology will enable King’s to develop and deliver a digital strategy that will support and enhance our long term plans and benefit both our patients and our staff.”
Abbs added: “The rise of digital technology is becoming increasingly important in every aspect of our work, whether that’s the delivery of high quality clinical care, providing the administrative services our patients expect, or ensuring our support services are as efficient and effective as possible.
“Beverley’s strong strategic leadership is therefore essential to realising our ambition and meeting the rising expectations of our patients.”
Bryant starts her new role 30 September 2019.
She joined System C as the supplier’s chief operating officer (COO) in 2017, having previously served as NHS Digital’s director of digital transformation – a role she had been in since June 2016.
Markus Bolton and Dr Ian Denley, joint chief executives at System C, both paid tribute to her hard work and accomplishments.
Bolton said: “Beverley has made a fantastic contribution to us at System C over the last few years and we are very sad to see her go.
“However, we have always known that Beverley is NHS through and through and that we only had her on loan. Her new role is a great opportunity for her at the sharp-end of transformation and we have no doubt that she will go on to make a big difference there.”
Denley added: “We are very grateful for the huge amount Beverley has achieved in her time with the System C & Graphnet Care Alliance.
“Not only has she been an excellent chief operating officer, but she has also worked brilliantly with our customers and on the national stage. It was under her watch that we recently celebrated signing up our 350,000th user. We wish her all the best in her new role.”