ICB chief executive to step down

NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) chief executive, Kevin Lavery, has today announced that he will step down after three years in the role. 

Mr Lavery wrote to colleagues to share the news, saying that he was proud of the work that has taken place to address major challenges that the ICB has faced since it was established in 2022. 

He said: “I joined the ICB in Lancashire and South Cumbria over three years ago and it has been great to lead the organisation through a period of change and work together with colleagues to set out a vision for transformation for health and care in Lancashire and South Cumbria. 

“I am proud of the way we have been proactive and determined in the way we have addressed our challenges - from establishing the ICB in July 2022, taking steps to improve our culture and during a period of national intervention. During this time, I have tried to make sure the ICB has acted with the best interests of our staff, our partners and our population at the centre of our decision making.

“In the three years there have also been significant achievements where our staff and organisation have gone above and beyond to support the care for our population. Some highlights to name a few are successfully transferring community and CAMHS services in East Lancashire, improving our UEC position and managing challenging winter periods, delivering more than £300m of efficiencies within the ICB over the last two years and overseeing a huge increase in identification and treatment of hypertension in our communities to NICE standards.”

The ICB’s chief finance officer, Sam Proffitt, will now take on the role as chief executive on an interim basis. 

ICB chair Emma Woollett thanked Mr Lavery for his work during his time in Lancashire and South Cumbria.

She said: “I would like to thank Kevin for his leadership of the ICB over the last three years and through a period of significant change. 

“In my short time at the ICB so far, I have seen the passion with which Kevin has led the development of a compelling vision that will improve and transform health and care across Lancashire and South Cumbria and deliver improvements to the sustainability of our system. I would like to thank Kevin for all his support and wish him all the best for the future.  

“I am pleased to announce that Sam Proffitt has agreed to act as the chief executive, pending recruitment of a new chief executive.”