Former M&S chief executive to headhunt for NHS
pharmafile | February 14, 2014 | News story | Medical Communications, Sales and Marketing | Dalton, Hunt, NHS, stuart rose, superheads
Health secretary Jeremy Hunt has appointed the man accredited with turning around the fortunes of Marks and Spencer to advise the government on talent management.
The move to hire Sir Stuart Rose runs alongside a separate review into how the NHS can make better use of its best existing leaders, the so-called ‘superheads’ – with the aim being to turn around ailing hospitals and services.
Labelled in the press as ‘M&S meets NHS’, Rose will direct the health secretary on how to build up a new generation of managers, with a particular focus on the 14 NHS trusts placed in ‘special measures’ last year.
Sir Stuart left M&S in 2010 and is currently the chairman of Ocado. On his new appointment he said: “Clearly the NHS is a very different institution from M&S, but leadership, motivating staff and creating a culture where people are empowered to do things differently are crucial to the success of any organisation, and I’m looking forward to helping in any way I can.”
Hunt has also announced that the chief executive of the Salford Royal NHS Foundation, Sir David Dalton, is also to advise him on how successful trusts can take charge of failing hospitals.
This is to be modelled on education secretary Michael Gove’s aforementioned ‘superheads’ programme, in which successful head teachers take over failing schools, and follows the introduction of Ofsted-style inspections for hospitals.
Sir David said: “I am delighted to accept the health secretary’s invitation to examine how strong and stable leadership from our managers and clinicians can make a positive impact.”
Hunt added: “Good care should never depend on your postcode, which is why new Ofsted-style hospital inspections are so important. But the difference between good and bad care can often lie in leadership, which is why I am delighted that one of the country’s most inspirational leaders has agreed to advise me on how we can attract and retain the brightest and best managers into the NHS.”
The appointment of Sir Stuart is likely to be seized on by sceptics and the government’s opposition, as another example of an increasing role the private sector is playing in the NHS.
Brett Wells
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