Chief Executive appointed to lead new ‘Central East’ ICB cluster

Jan Thomas, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Integrated Care Board, has been appointed as the Chief Executive of the ‘Central East’ Integrated Care Board (ICB) cluster.   The cluster includes Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire and Milton Keynes. 

Jan has extensive leadership experience of managing complex health systems, strategic commissioning, and driving transformation across large-scale partnerships.

Jan’s appointment follows the recent announcement of Robin Porter as Chair for the new ICB cluster. These appointments are a key step in responding to the government’s health reforms, which require Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) to cluster and create more streamlined, sustainable health and care systems.

Jan Thomas said: “This is a great chance for us to work together, focus on what truly matters to local people, and create a health and care system that’s more connected, efficient, and built to last. Most importantly, it means making sure people can get the care they need, quickly and easily, when they need it most.

“Each organisation has strong foundations and a shared commitment to improving care for our communities, and I’m proud to take on this role as we move towards joint working across this wider geography.”

Robin Porter said: “I am delighted that Jan has accepted these new roles. Jan is a highly experienced, innovative NHS leader with an impressive track record of achievement in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. I look forward to working with her over the coming years to deliver high-quality health and care services for people in Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, Bedfordshire, Luton, Milton Keynes and Hertfordshire.”

Clare Panniker, Regional Director for NHS England in the East of England, said: “I’m delighted to confirm Jan Thomas’ appointment to these roles.  She brings a wealth of experience of heath service leadership which will benefit patients across the area and the wider region. This appointment will play a pivotal role in helping us deliver the bold and ambitious 10 Year Health Plan here in the East of England.”

The current ICBs which serve this area (Cambridgeshire & Peterborough ICB, Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes ICB and Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB) will legally remain in place until next year, but will begin to work more closely together from 1 October 2025.