The former CEO of the Royal Society for Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA), Taylor will join the NHS Confederation in the summer, succeeding Danny Mortimer who has been acting CEO since September 2020. Mortimer will return to his role as the Confederation’s deputy CEO and CEO executive of NHS Employers (which is part of the Confederation).

Taylor joins the NHS Confederation as the organisation launches a new strategy to coincide with what is being called “the most important set of reforms to the NHS in a decade”. The reforms will see legislative changes that underpin moves to integrate care in the English NHS.

The NHS Confederation is the only membership body for the whole healthcare system. It is said to be “uniquely placed” to promote collaboration and partnership working among the organisations it represents throughout the health systems of England, Wales and Northern Irelands. 

In the last year, the Confederation has launched networks for integrated care systems and primary care networks, which complement the support the organisation already provides to acute, community, mental health and ambulance service trusts, as well as to commissioners. 

Lord Victor Adebowale, chair of the NHS Confederation, described Taylor as “an exceptional appointment”. 

Calling the NHS “the most revered institution this country has created”, Taylor pointed out that he had begun his career researching health policy. 

Most recently, Taylor held the position of director of Labour Market Enforcement for 18 months on an interim basis until his contract ended in January this year.

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