Former M&S CEO Sir Stuart Rose to become top NHS adviser
Former Marks & Spencer chief executive Sir Stuart Rose has been recruited by Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt to advise the NHS on how to attract and retain the best leaders to help transform the culture in under-performing hospitals.
In an announcement made today, the Department of Health said Sir Stuart will advise the Health Secretary on how the NHS can build on its existing work to recruit top talent from within and outside the NHS. Drawing on his experience as a former M&S chairman, he will also provide guidance on how NHS trusts can improve organisational culture.
Hunt said: “The difference between good and bad care can often lie in leadership, which is why I am delighted that one of the country’s most inspirational leaders has agreed to advise me on how we can attract and retain the brightest and best managers into the NHS so we transform the culture in under-performing hospitals.”
Sir Stuart, who is currently chairman of Ocado, will particularly look at the problems faced by the 14 trusts currently in “special measures”, the programme to turn-around failing hospitals introduced last year, where strong leadership was identified as key to improvement.
Never Miss a Retail Update!Through a series of hospital visits Sir Stuart will mentor NHS leaders and examine the challenges facing doctors, nurses and management boards. He will provide advice in an unpaid capacity until the end of the year when he will submit a short report to the department.
Sir Stuart said: “Clearly the NHS is a very different institution from M&S, but leadership, motivating staff and creating a culture where people are empowered to do things differently are crucial to the success of any organisation, and I’m looking forward to helping in any way I can.”
