The chief executive of the CQC, Ian Trenholm, is stepping down at the end of June.
Deputy chief executive, Kate Terroni, has been appointed as interim chief executive prior to a permanent appointment being made.
Mr Trenholm has held the position since July 2018. Prior to that, he was CEO at NHS Blood and Transplant.
He said his move was due to the CQC concluding a period of transition which felt ‘like a good time to move on’.
It comes after the first CQC inspections of ICSs were delayed due to discussions with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), and then further by the general election.
In May, the DHSC also said the CQC would be facing a review into its ‘operational effectiveness’, led by North West London ICS chair Penny Dash.
Mr Trenholm said: ‘During my six years leading CQC, we have made important changes to the way we work in order to help improve care and keep people safe. We are now in the final stages of delivering an ambitious transformation programme – this month saw the delivery of the last big milestone in a complex and challenging programme of work.
‘While there will always be more work to do, the conclusion of this stage of the transformation feels like a good time to move on. It has been a privilege to work with such a passionate, committed and talented group of colleagues.
‘I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved together, and I am confident that the organisation will continue to evolve to help support the health and care system to provide good, safe care for people.’
CQC’s chair, Ian Dilks said: ‘The Board would like to thank Ian for his contribution to CQC over many years and for leading us towards our ambition of being a smarter and better regulator.
‘I and my Board colleagues look forward to supporting and working with Kate in the further development of CQC.’
