Dr Mark Newbold was a histopathologist for over 20 years, leaving medicine to take up a CEO role in 2007. He had an academic training and an interest in gastrointestinal disease, leading the preparatory work on the National Bowel Cancer Screening Programme.
He now runs a large Trust in the Birmingham area which incorporates three hospitals and a range of community services. He chairs the NHS Confederation Hospital Forum and is a governor of Aston University.
He has a strong interest in both the future of hospital services and in leadership, particularly clinical leadership. He holds the view that NHS leaders need to be more visible and open in their decision-making and is fascinated by the role of social media in facilitating this.
You can follow Mark on Twitter @drmarknewbold or read his blog.