Nuffield Trust statement: Chief Executive Dr Jennifer Dixon to lead the Health Foundation

The Nuffield Trust’s Chief Executive Dr Jennifer Dixon CBE is to become the new Chief Executive of the Health Foundation, it was announced today. Dr Dixon will start in her new role in October 2013.

Dr Dixon, former Director of Policy at The King’s Fund until 2008 and Policy Advisor to the Chief Executive of the NHS between 1998 and 2000, joined the Nuffield Trust in 2008.

She has presided over several high profile research programmes and activities, including the Nuffield Trust’s recent review for the Secretary of State for Healthinto the feasibility of rating care providers for quality.

The Nuffield Trust intends appointing Andy McKeon, currently a trustee, as Interim Chief Executive while Dr Dixon’s successor is recruited. Andy is Adjunct Professor at the Centre for Health Policy in the Institute for Global Health Innovation at Imperial College London, and formerly Managing Director of Health at the Audit Commission (2003-2012).

Under Jennifer’s leadership the Nuffield Trust has established itself as a leading independent source of evidence-based research and policy analysis

Andy will step down as a trustee of the Nuffield Trust before this appointment, and he will formally begin in his new role this autumn.

Commenting on the appointment, the Nuffield Trust’s Chairman, Professor Dame Carol Black DBE, said: “We are delighted for Jennifer that she has been offered the opportunity to lead the Health Foundation and we look forward to our organisations continuing to work together in order to improve care quality at this critical time for the health service.

“The last five years has been a period of significant renewal for the Nuffield Trust. Under Jennifer’s leadership the Nuffield Trust has established itself as a leading independent source of evidence-based research and policy analysis.

“Jennifer has brought real expertise, knowledge and passion to our organisation and she has established the Nuffield Trust as one of the foremost health research bodies in the country.

“Jennifer leaves behind a strong senior management team that will continue to take forward the Nuffield Trust’s strategy while her successor is recruited.

“I am delighted that Andy McKeon has agreed to play a pivotal role during this period by taking up the position of Interim Chief Executive. This will ensure the Nuffield Trust continues to play an important role in helping the NHS and social care system respond to the major challenges ahead.”

Dr Dixon said: “The Nuffield Trust is a very special place full of highly talented and motivated people – it has a strong team. It has been an enormous privilege to serve the Trust for the last five years as well as being hugely enjoyable. I am looking forward to seeing the Trust going on to thrive even more in its next phase.”