The Oxford Academic Health Science Network (AHSN) is very pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Gary Ford as Chief Executive.

Professor Ford will join the Network from the University of Newcastle where he is the holder of the Jacobson Chair of Clinical Pharmacology, the Director of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Stroke Research Network and the Associate Medical Director for R&D at the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.  In addition, he has maintained a clinical practice as a stroke physician and developed strong links with the life sciences sector.

Nigel Keen, Chairman of the Oxford AHSN, said “We are delighted to appoint Professor Ford as Chief Executive. With his great experience of the NHS, of clinical research and of academia, he is ideally suited to develop the Oxford AHSN and realise the potential of the skills, experience and knowledge that exist within the Network.”

Professor Ford, who will join the Oxford AHSN in November, said: “The establishment of the Oxford AHSN is an exciting opportunity to draw on the enormous resources of this part of England to improve healthcare and drive economic growth. I am looking forward to working with all partners who include prestigious organisations within both the public and private sectors.”

Sir Jonathan Michael, Chief Executive of the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, the host organisation for the Oxford AHSN, said “This is a key appointment and I am confident the Network will be able to draw on Professor Ford’s skills and understanding of clinical and research networks, and the links between academia and the NHS.  Professor Ford will be working to develop his team and plans to visit all parts of the Network over the coming months.”

AHSNs have been established across England with a core purpose to ensure the NHS, academia and industry work collaboratively to identify, adopt and spread innovation and best practice.

The Oxford AHSN includes health and social care providers, NHS commissioners, universities and businesses from the life sciences sector, local authorities and third sector organisations across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Bedfordshire.

Megan Turmezei (01865 572788/07837 401519: Megan.turmezei@ouh.nhs.uk)

Visit www.oxfordahsn.org for more information or  media.office@ouh.nhs.uk

Professor Ford