Second ICS chief departs

Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland ICS chief Andy Williams has announced he will step down in November after almost 40 years in the NHS.

Mr Williams was appointed to lead the three Leicestershire clinical commissioning groups in 2019 and became ICS and integrated care board chief when they were created as statutory organisations last summer. 

Mr Williams previously led Sandwell and West Birmingham CCG, which was twice named HSJ Awards’ CCG of the Year, and has held several other senior roles in the English and Welsh NHS.

He said of his departure: “I came to Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland in 2019 with three important goals: to bring together the three clinical commissioning groups to create a single commissioning voice for the NHS; to change the way the NHS worked moving from competition to collaboration; and to create more effective relationships between the NHS and its partners.

“We are now at the next phase of the ICB’s development to enhance our partnership working and collaboration. It feels right therefore, to hand over the reins to someone new to shape the future of the ICB.”

LLR is rated 3, one away from the lowest rating of 4, in NHS England’s oversight framework, and its main acute provider, Leicester Hospitals, has had major performance and finance problems. 

Mr Williams is the second ICS CEO to depart since they were formally appointed to the 42 organisations about a year ago. James Kent left the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West ICS in September, and was seconded to be an NHSE adviser.