They will help the DHSC turn around the NHS, make it fit for the future, and reform social care
The government has appointed Baroness Camilla Cavendish, Naomi Eisenstadt CB, and Phil Jordan as non-executive directors to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) board to support the rebuilding of the National Health Service (NHS) in England.
The trio, who bring extensive cross-party experience, will join lead non-executive director Alan Milburn, former health secretary under Tony Blair, to provide strategic guidance to support health and care reforms.
They will support the government’s key missions to drive down waiting lists and reform the NHS as part of the 10 Year Health Plan.
Their appointment aligns with the government’s pledge to recruit the “best and brightest” talent to fix what health secretary Wes Streeting has called a “broken NHS.”
Streeting emphasised the importance of drawing people with different political persuasions, with public and private sector experience, to transform the NHS and social care.
“The NHS is one of the biggest organisations in the world, and building a national care service is a generational ambition. We should be competing with global businesses to recruit the best and the brightest to our cause,” he said.
He welcomed Camilla, Naomi and Phil to their new roles, stating that, “Their combined expertise in social policy and technology, deep understanding of healthcare and commitment to pragmatism over ideology will be invaluable as we fix our broken NHS.”
Streeting invited people with the skills, experience and drive to transform the treatment and care of millions of people to join them in building the 10-Year Health Plan.
As non-executive directors, the three leading figures will provide independent oversight, constructive challenge and strategic advice to the department.
Profiles of the new DHSC board members
Baroness Camilla Cavendish
A former head of the Number 10 Policy Unit under Prime Minister David Cameron, Baroness Cavendish brings a wealth of experience across public policy, healthcare and journalism.
She is a leading voice in health and social care reform and has led significant reviews that have shaped social care policy and practice. These included the Cavendish Review (2013), which highlighted the need for improved training standards, greater recognition for care workers and more robust safeguards for those in vulnerable situations.
Her expertise in social care will be instrumental in driving forward health and social care reform plans.
Naomi Eisenstadt CB
An expert in public policy and social welfare, Naomi Eisenstadt was the first director of the Sure Start Unit, a flagship early-years programme aimed at reducing inequality. She currently serves as chair of the NHS Northamptonshire Integrated Care Board. She will bring her expertise on health inequalities to DHSC.
Phil Jordan
Bringing a strong background in digital transformation, Phil Jordan has served as Chief Information Officer at Sainsbury’s, Telefónica, and Vodafone UK and Ireland. He will focus on data and digital capability at DHSC.
