ICB Chief Executive announces retirement after 42 years of service

Graham Urwin, Chief Executive of NHS Cheshire and Merseyside
Graham Urwin, Chief Executive of NHS Cheshire and Merseyside

Graham Urwin, Chief Executive of NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board (ICB), has announced he will retire in June next year following 42 years in public service.

In the 36 years that Graham has worked in the NHS, he has held a number of positions across NHS Trusts, Primary Care Trusts and NHS England before taking up his current role as the Chief Executive of NHS Cheshire and Merseyside.

Whilst holding the position of Regional Director of Performance and Improvement with NHS England, Graham was also the Northwest Incident Director for the management of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Speaking about his retirement, Graham said:

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“I am incredibly proud of all that the NHS has achieved and the constant focus on making improvements for the populations we serve.”

“It has been the most tremendous privilege and honour to have worked with so many dedicated and talented people over the years and whilst there will always remain challenges to address there is much to celebrate”.

Raj Jain, Chair of NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, commented:

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“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Graham for being an outstanding leader and a truly inspirational Chief Executive who has dedicated his entire career to public service.

“As he moves on to retirement, he leaves behind a strong legacy and the NHS in a much better position for the future. His unwavering determination and commitment to bring about system wide collaborative working and always putting patients first is commendable.”

“On a personal level, I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Graham, and wish him well for the future.”

Graham added:

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“As we look to the future, next year the NHS will be embarking on a new era, with the launch of the NHS 10 Year Plan. Which is why I feel the time is right for me to hand the baton over to a new future leader.”

A robust and competitive recruitment process will now commence for a new Chief Executive.