New Chair appointed to Health Education England

Sir David Behan has been appointed as Chair of Health Education England for three years from 1 December.

Sir David’s career in health and social care spans 40 years.

He was formerly Chief Executive at the Care Quality Commission and was previously Director General of Social Care, Local Government and Care Partnerships at the Department of Health, where he was a member of the NHS Management Board.

Sir David was awarded a Knighthood for services to health and care in the 2017 New Year’s Honours list, having been appointed a CBE in 2004 for services to social care.

His appointment as Chair of Health Education England was announced today.

Professor Ian Cumming, HEE Chief Executive, said:

I am delighted that Sir David will be joining us. He brings a wealth of experience across health and social care and is highly regarded and respected as a leader.

I am personally looking forward to working with and learning from Sir David as he joins HEE as he brings this experience and leadership to bear on dealing with the workforce challenges and opportunities that will be outlined in the forthcoming Long Term Plan we are working with colleagues across the system to create.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Sir Keith Pearson who has been our Chair since HEE was established in 2013. He has provided the guidance and leadership that has seen us grow as an organisation, putting us in such a strong position to face the future providing the workforce that the NHS and patients will need today and tomorrow. On behalf of everyone at HEE, I would like to thank Sir Keith for his service and wish him well for the future.