NHS Digital has announced that Simon Bolton has been appointed as its interim CEO.
He joins the organisation from Test and Trace where he has been CIO since August 2020, and replaces Sarah Wilkinson, who is due to leave the role in June.
Prior to Test and Trace, Bolton was the CIO of Jaguar Land Rover. NHS Digital said he has extensive experience in IT delivery, operations and leadership.
Chair of the NHS Digital Board, Laura Wade-Gery, said: “Simon will provide strong leadership for the organisation to maintain this momentum and build on what has been achieved over the last year, supporting and driving forward the wider NHS agenda of simultaneous restoration and transformation of services with digital at its heart.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Sarah for her commitment, her dedication, and her outstanding leadership over the last four years.”
Huge opportunity
Bolton commented: "The appetite for digitisation within the NHS presents a huge opportunity for all of us working in the health tech sector and my ambition is for NHS Digital to be at the forefront, driving innovation and developing solutions and new capabilities.
“What NHS Digital has achieved during the pandemic has been remarkable and I look forward to working alongside my new colleagues to continue to deliver for patients and the frontline.”
He will formally take on the role on 4 June, before which Sarah Wilkinson will work closely with him to ensure continuity of leadership and delivery.
The board is run an open competition to recruit for the role on a permanent basis later this year.
Image from NHS Digital
