Stevens announces departure from NHS England

Sir Simon (pictured) joined the NHS as a graduate management trainee in 1988 and has worked in 10 Downing Street and the Department of Health, as well as in international healthcare bodies, and in the public and private sectors. He became NHS England chief executive in April 2014, and will be made a peer on his departure.

He said: ‘Joining the health service in my early twenties was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, followed three decades later by the privilege of leading the NHS through some of the toughest challenges in its history.

‘The people of this country have rightly recognised the extraordinary service of NHS staff during this terrible pandemic, as well as the success of our Covid vaccination deployment. As the pandemic recedes in this country, the NHS’s track record in advancing medical progress in a way that works for everyone rightly continues to inspire young people to join one of the greatest causes – health and high-quality care for all, now and for future generations.’

Prime minister Boris Johnson said: ‘Sir Simon has led the NHS with great distinction for the past seven years. I want to thank him for his dedicated service throughout – but especially when facing the extraordinary pressures of the past year, and for his huge contribution to our vaccine rollout.’

Labour leader Keir Starmer added his own thanks. ‘Simon has been a hugely effective advocate for the NHS, its patients and staff, and has led the service with great distinction through the greatest challenges it has faced since its foundation. The NHS Covid-19 vaccination programme under Simon’s leadership has shown the NHS at its best. I wish him well for the future.’

HFMA chief executive Mark Knight also paid tribute to Sir Simon. ‘The NHS has faced significant challenges during Sir Simon's time in office, with a major squeeze on resources and, more recently, the global pandemic. But he has steered the service through these challenges with firm leadership, fighting the NHS's case with government whenever needed. He will leave us with a clear direction of travel towards greater integration and more collaborative system working and a real determination to tackle inequalities, deliver better services and support better health in a sustainable way.’

Mr Knight added that Sir Simon had been a supporter of NHS finance staff, taking the time to address finance managers at the HFMA annual conference.

Jennifer Dixon, chief executive of the Health Foundation, commented: ‘Simon’s expert leadership over the last seven years has led to significant investment and a clear long-term vision for the NHS, progress on improving and joining up care, and the highly competent management of the biggest challenge it has ever faced – the pandemic – all crowned with the successful vaccine roll out. Simon’s contribution to the NHS has been immense and singular, and we are all very much in his debt.’

The NHS England board said it would begin a competitive recruitment process for his successor shortly. The appointment must be ratified by the health and social care secretary and the aim is to make the appointment before Sir Simon steps down on 31 July.