Our April edition of Movers and Shakers includes a new digital clinical system programme director at Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust & East Cheshire NHS Trust while University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust bids farewell to its chief executive. 


Phillip James has been appointed digital clinical system programme director at Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and East Cheshire NHS Trust.

James has previously served as CIO and director of of digital for Warrington Together & Halton One. He moved to his new role in mid-March 2021.


Russel Nightingale has started a new role as chief operating officer at Harrogate and District NHS Trust.


Healthcare innovation company, Tunstall Healthcare has appointed Peter Nicklin as its new chairman of the board.

Nicklin’s previous experience includes being a senior healthcare executive with Baxter International, Bayer Healthcare, Novartis and Bristol-Myers Squibb.

“I’m delighted to be joining Tunstall at such a pivotal time for the digitally connected health and social care industry as there is rapid acceleration in the adoption of digital healthcare worldwide,” he said.

“Tunstall is ideally placed to continue to build on its market leading position in the sector throughout the countries it operates. I look forward to working with the Tunstall team to capitalise on opportunities in the market and drive forward its strategy.”


Dr Nicola Byrne has been appointed the new National Data Guardian (NDG) for Health and Social Care for the next three years.

Dr Byrne is the second person to take up the role following Dame Fiona Caldicott, who passed away in February 2021.

She said: “I am delighted to take on this important role and determined to work to ensure that citizens’ health and care data is used to ensure the safety and quality of individual care, to improve the health of the population, and to support the longer term effectiveness of our health and care system through research and innovation in treatment and models of care.


David Mitchell is set to leave his position as CCIO at North Bristol NHS Trust in mid-April.


Professor Marcel Levi left his role as chief executive at University College London Foundation Trust on 31 March 2021.

Levi was at the trust for four years and will move back to the Netherlands to take up the post of chief scientific officer to the Dutch government.


Finally, Karamjit Singh who led the board of University Hospitals of Leicester Trust since 2014 will be stepping down in April 2021.