Professor Ben Bridgewater has been appointed as the new Executive Chair of the Health Innovation Network (the Network), representing England’s 15 regional health innovation networks nationally. He will spearhead the Network’s mission to harness innovation to improve health outcomes and drive economic growth.

The 15 health innovation networks accelerate the adoption and spread of proven innovations across the NHS and life sciences sector, working with health and care systems, academia, and industry. In the past year alone, Network activity benefited over one million patients, leveraged almost £500m of investment through support to innovators, and created or safeguarded more than 900 jobs in the UK.

Ben will continue in his role as Chief Executive of Health Innovation Manchester while also taking up national responsibilities on behalf of the Network. He brings extensive experience as a former cardiac surgeon, clinical leader and innovator, with a track record of delivering national policy, leading digital transformation, and forging major NHS-industry partnerships.

Since 2018, Ben has led Health Innovation Manchester through a period of growth and transformation, securing significant external investment and delivering nationally recognised programmes such as the Greater Manchester Care Record and pioneering work in obesity care.

As Executive Chair, Ben will focus on strengthening the Network’s national influence and impact. He said: “This is a pivotal moment for the Health Innovation Network. To meet the needs of patients, health systems and the UK economy, we must continue to sharpen our focus, raise our ambition and deliver a step change in impact.

“The 10 Year Health Plan and Life Science Sector Plans have set ambitions to transform health services, to improve health outcomes, drive economic growth and establish the UK as a global powerhouse for health and life sciences. The 15 health innovation networks have been acknowledged as a key part of the future of the health innovation landscape.

“I am delighted to take on this role and look forward to working with colleagues nationally to realise this opportunity.”

Fiona Driscoll, Non-Executive Chair of the Health Innovation Network, said: “Ben brings with him a wealth of expertise in digital transformation and clinical leadership. There is no doubt the experience he has gained building the Greater Manchester Shared Care Record and brokering industry partnerships to deliver obesity transformation across Manchester, will help drive the Network forward.”

Ros Campion, Director of the Office for Life Sciences, also offered her support: “The UK’s life sciences sector is a cornerstone of both our health system and our economy. The Health Innovation Network plays a vital role in making sure NHS patients benefit quickly from world-leading science and technology, while also supporting growth and investment. I welcome Ben’s appointment and look forward to working with him and the Network to accelerate the spread of innovation and deliver benefits for patients, the NHS and the wider economy.” 

The Network Executive Chair is appointed every two years from amongst the 15 local network chief officers.

Richard Stubbs, Chief Executive of Health Innovation Yorkshire and Humber, held the post during the last term and will continue in his local role. He said: “It has been an honour to work at a national level over the last five years, both in my role as Vice Chair and then more recently as Chair, representing the Network on working groups for the innovation ecosystem programme and the 10 Year Health Plan. As I hand over to Ben, I look forward to continuing to champion the need to focus on the implementation of innovation in my substantive role.”

Fiona added: “I also extend gratitude on behalf of the whole Network to Richard Stubbs, whose constant championing of innovation, and the value of the health innovation networks, at a national level has been invaluable at a time of great change.”