The Health Foundation appoints new Director of Improvement

The Health Foundation has appointed Will Warburton to the newly created post of Director of Improvement. In his new role, Will is going to lead the Improvement Directorate and play a critical role in the Foundation’s work to improve the quality of health care.

He will have responsibility for the Health Foundation’s largest share of charitable spend, on programmes and fellowships, as well as testing and scaling proven quality improvement in health care - in particular in the areas of safety and person-centred care. His work will play a significant role in helping build knowledge and skills in quality improvement across UK health systems.

Will, who has a strong background in health policy, strategy, and frontline operational management, is currently Senior Policy Fellow and Operational Director of the Centre for Health Policy at the Institute of Global Health Innovation, Imperial College London, and the Forum Director of the World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH).

Will was previously Head of Operations for Women and Children’s services at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, and policy advisor to Professor Stephen Smith, former Principal of the Faculty of Medicine and Chief Executive of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.

With Will’s appointment, Jo Bibby, Director of Strategy, will become Director of Innovation and Strategy, ensuring that the Health Foundation continues to work at the frontline of emerging challenges in health and health care and draws on international and multi-sector innovations to meet these needs.

Dr Jennifer Dixon, Chief Executive of the Health Foundation comments: 'I am really thrilled to welcome Will as the new Director of Improvement at the Health Foundation. He will be a terrific addition to our senior management team and brings with him great expertise in improvement and innovation in health. At the Foundation, Will takes over the portfolio of innovative grants for quality improvement, safety and person-centred care, as well as two of our fellowship offers. He will be responsible for developing this portfolio in line with the new strategic direction of the Foundation and leading on assessing the impact of our work.'

Will Warburton commented: 'It is a tremendous privilege to be joining the Health Foundation. I am very pleased to be taking up the post of Director of Improvement at an organisation that has inspired so much great work to enhance quality in health services, make patients safer and put people at the centre of their own care. With health and social care services facing profound challenges now and in future, I also feel a strong sense of responsibility to ensure that our programmes provide as much opportunity, support and space as possible for people who wish to improve health and health care. I look forward to working with Health Foundation colleagues, fellows and partners to enable and accelerate this improvement across the UK.'

Media contact

Thais Portilho, Senior Public Affairs Manager
T: 020 7257 8027
E: thais.portilho@health.org.uk