Chief Executive Officer for ICB Cluster Confirmed

Simon Whitehouse has been confirmed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Integrated Care Board (ICB) Cluster for NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent and NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin.

Simon currently serves as Chief Executive Officer for NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, a role he has held since 2022. With over 30 years of experience in the NHS, Simon brings a wealth of expertise from clinical practice, as a physiotherapist, and senior leadership roles.

Before joining NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, Simon was Chief Executive of two Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Groups. He later became Director of the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Sustainability and Transformation Partnership in June 2017.

Ian Green OBE, recently announced as the new Chair of the ICB Cluster for the two ICBs, commented: “I’m delighted to announce Simon’s appointment as Chief Executive Officer for the ICB Cluster. Under his leadership, NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin has seen significant improvements, including enhanced staff engagement and a positive cultural shift, as reflected in recent NHS Staff Survey results.

“The system has also benefited from stronger partnership working, successful delivery of a challenging financial and operational plan, and the removal of NHS England’s legal Directions and Undertakings - clear indicators of the progress being made.  I look forward to working with Simon as we continue to develop the cluster arrangements between the two ICBs.”

Simon Whitehouse said: “Having lived in North Staffordshire all my life and having started my NHS career in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, I feel incredibly privileged to take on this new opportunity across both organisations.

“I’m excited to continue the improvement journey in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, and honoured to be asked to lead both ICBs. While challenges lie ahead, particularly in delivering the ambitions set out in the Government’s 10-Year Health Plan, my focus will be on improving outcomes for the residents that we serve.  This can only be achieved by building on the best from both ICBs, developing an organisation that we can all be proud of and working as strong partners across the wider health and care system.”

David Pearson MBE, Chair of NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, who announced his retirement in July, said: “I am delighted that Simon Whitehouse has been appointed to the ICB Cluster CEO role.

“I have had the pleasure of previously working with Simon when he held system roles within Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. As a resident of the area, Simon is very familiar with the challenges and strengths within our communities, he also brings significant commissioning experience which will be helpful in the move towards ICBs becoming strategic commissioners.  Simon’s experience will be invaluable as we embark on a new journey of collaboration with NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin. There is no doubt that the scale of the task to embed the 10-year plan and the new operating model for the ICBs is significant, but I am confident that together we will continue to deliver on the health priorities of local people and prepare the ground for a strong and sustainable NHS longer term.”

Dr Paul Edmondson-Jones, Interim Chief Executive of NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent since July this year, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Simon as Chief Executive Officer and I’m confident he will be a fantastic leader of the health system for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.

“Having worked closely with him in our local area for many years, I know Simon is ideally suited to take us on the next steps of our journey towards delivering the best possible health services for the patients and communities we serve.  I’m looking forward to supporting him in his new role as our two ICBs continue to maximise every opportunity to build on our strengths for the benefit of patients and staff.”

When Simon takes up his new role on 1 October 2025, Paul will revert to the role of Deputy Chief Executive Officer for NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.

Under the new ICB cluster arrangements, both ICBs will remain separate statutory organisations for now, but will increasingly operate with a single management team. This approach will enable shared innovation, best practice, and a unified focus on improving outcomes for the populations they serve.