Following a thorough recruitment process, One Halton is pleased to announce the appointment of our first Place Director, Anthony Leo.
Working closely with local partners, Anthony will play a central role in the future integration of health and care, taking a lead on tackling the health inequalities within our communities.
Anthony has a background in strategy, commissioning and transformation within the NHS, having worked at local and regional levels.
Having previously worked in a health authority and PCTs, he took up the role of Director of Commissioning (Merseyside) in NHS England in 2012 before moving into the role of Regional Director for Primary Care and Public Health Commissioning in 2019 for NHS England and NHS Improvement in the North West.
His current responsibilities include the leadership and oversight of primary care and Section 7a public health services across the region. In addition to this, Anthony has also been part of the regional senior team leading the COVID-19 Mass Vaccination Programme in the North West.
In his new role, Anthony will oversee One Halton’s vision of working better together to improve the health and wellbeing of the people of Halton so they live longer, healthier and happier lives.
Cllr Marie Wright, Executive Board Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: “I am delighted that Anthony will be bringing his considerable experience to the role of Place Director for Halton as we work together as One Halton to tackle health inequalities and support our local people to live long, healthy, happy lives.
“One Halton has already established a strong local partnership that is determined to improve health and care for the people of Halton. I am sure with Anthony’s leadership and support, One Halton will be successful in achieving its health and care goals.”
Dr Andrew Davies, Chief Clinical Officer at NHS Halton Clinical Commissioning Group CCG said: “I would like to congratulate Anthony on his appointment as Place Director for Halton. “I’m entirely confident that Anthony’s experience and dedication make him the right person to lead One Halton in working with partners to continue our journey of improving health and reducing inequalities.”
Speaking of his appointment, Anthony Leo said: “I am delighted to have been appointed Place Director for Halton. A lot has been achieved already and I am looking forward to building on that and continuing to work with our partners to improve the health and wellbeing of local people.
“I want to make sure our teams have the support they need as we transition into the new way of working and I am looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together as we move forward.”
Anthony is one of nine place directors who have been appointed across Cheshire and Merseyside and who will take up their posts on 1 July 2022, when NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board (ICB) is established.
This was a robust, inclusive process and the selection panel for each post included the ICB Designate Chief Executive, a non-executive director, a place-specific elected member or members, the relevant local authority Chief Executive, and representatives of both primary care and NHS providers.
Graham Urwin, Designate Chief Executive of NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board, said: “I am really excited we have put together an excellent team of people to carry out the pivotal role of place director throughout our Integrated Care System. They all have relevant experience and skills, and comprise a complementary team who will work together and alongside NHS Cheshire and Merseyside ICB and the wider Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership.
“As well as delivering on effective integration, they will also address the very real health inequalities our communities experience – a primary objective of the ICB and all our partners.
“I would like to personally congratulate all the successful candidates and wish them every success.”