Dr James Kent has been appointed Chief Executive Designate of the new Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West (BOB) Integrated Care Board (ICB); due to be established in April 2022.  He has held the roles of Executive Lead of the Integrated Care System (ICS) and the Accountable Officer for the three Clinical Commissioning Groups since May 2020.

Welcoming James to his new role, Javed Khan, the Chair-designate of BOB ICB said: “I’m delighted with James’ appointment and look forward to working with him as we help the system realise its full potential to the benefit of our diverse population.”

James said: “I’m proud to be able to continue the journey I began when appointed to lead the ICS last May.  Over the last 18 months, I have seen the depth of talent that exists within all system partner organisations and our wider stakeholders and what we can achieve when we work together.  I am ever more convinced of the potential of this system to improve health and health outcomes for the population we serve.”

The ICB is part of new arrangements to improve joint working across the NHS, local authorities and a wide range of other partners to improve health, health outcomes and reduce health inequalities. The ICB will hold a budget of over £2.7bn from April 22/23 for commissioning high quality patient care for a population of around 1.8m people. 

ICB chief executive roles are being appointed now as part of preparation for the Health and Care Bill 2021 gaining Royal Assent. The Bill, which contains a series of measures to formally establish Integrated Care Systems (ICSs), is currently at Committee Stage receiving a detailed examination following its second reading.

The Bill will put ICSs on a firm statutory footing, empowering them to better join up health and care, improve population health and reduce health inequalities.

For further information on the appointment please contact 0300 123 4465 or email occg.media-office@nhs.net