NHS Confederation and NHS Providers announce new chief executive

Sir Ciarán, who is chair of the Health Service Executive (HSE) in Ireland, will be the first chief executive of the new membership body, which will represent frontline NHS organisations across the healthcare system in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. 

Sir Ciarán Devane will lead the new organisation, with its core purpose to help improve the NHS and the health of the people of the UK as the independent membership body providing an influential voice for NHS leaders and supporting its members to drive improvement.

Sir Ciarán will join the organisation with significant leadership experience across health and social care and public service. At the HSE (Ireland’s broad equivalent of the NHS), where he has been chair since 2019, he is responsible for over 150,000 healthcare professionals across hospitals, community healthcare, social care, disability services, mental healthcare, ambulances, and support staff. 

Sir Ciarán has been executive director of the Centre for Peace and Security at Coventry University since 2021, chief executive of the British Council (2015-20) and chief executive at Macmillan Cancer Support (2007-14), for which he received a knighthood in 2015 for services to cancer patients. 

Additionally, Sir Ciarán served on NHS England’s board as a non-executive director from 2012 to 2015. 

Commenting on his appointment, Lord Victor Adebowale, chair of the joint board between NHS Providers and the NHS Confederation, said: “I am delighted that following a highly competitive and rigorous process, Sir Ciarán Devane will become the inaugural chief executive of the new membership body that will represent frontline NHS organisations across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. 

“Sir Ciarán’s experience across the public and voluntary sectors, and his deep understanding of NHS organisations, make him a strong leader to steer our new organisation during a critical period for the NHS. 

“On behalf of our joint board, I would also like to thank both Daniel Elkeles and Matthew Taylor for their exceptional leadership across NHS Providers and NHS Confederation in getting us to this point. Without their leadership, we would not be bringing our two organisations together for the benefit of our respective members and partners.”

Professor Sir Terence Stephenson, vice chair of the joint board between NHS Providers and the NHS Confederation, said: “Our members sought a unified and influential voice for the NHS and Sir Ciarán’s appointment marks a pivotal step in realising that ambition. 

“I would also like to extend my thanks to both Daniel Elkeles and Matthew Taylor, particularly Daniel whom I have worked alongside at NHS Providers and watched him help deliver what our members have asked for in creating a single new membership body for the NHS.” 

Sir Ciarán Devane said: “I am honoured to lead this unified membership body at such a crucial time for the NHS and wider health and care services. By bringing together the strengths of both organisations, we can create a single, powerful voice that supports NHS leaders and staff, helps them to improve their services and ultimately to improve care for local communities. I look forward to working with our members, partners, stakeholders and staff across England, Wales and Northern Ireland in achieving this vision.” 

In October 2025, the NHS Confederation and NHS Providers confirmed their plans to merge, following significant engagement with their members, spanning NHS trusts, integrated care boards, primary care providers, and voluntary sector providers. 

The legal merger concluded on 13 January, and the new membership body will launch in April. Its name and branding will be revealed soon. As this work continues, both organisations will maintain their current names and branding before the new membership offer is launched in April. 

With Sir Ciarán’s appointment, Daniel Elkeles, chief executive of NHS Providers, is stepping down from his post next week. 

Daniel Elkeles said: “I’ve really enjoyed my time at NHS Providers and I’m incredibly proud of everything we’ve achieved since I joined in May 2025. The NHS needs a single representative body to advocate nationally on its behalf and merging NHS Providers and the NHS Confederation was the right thing to do. The new organisation will make an even bigger impact for members and the NHS, and while I am understandably sad that I will not be leading it, I wish Ciarán every success in his new role.” 

Matthew Taylor will act as interim chief executive of the merged organisation until the end of March. In September 2025, Matthew announced his plans to step down from his role as chief executive of the NHS Confederation at the end of March 2026 to become the chair of the government’s Fair Work Agency.