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Ian Cumming to step down as chief executive of Health Education England

Ian Cumming to step down as chief executive of Health Education England
By Isabel Shaw Reporter
20 November 2019



The chief executive of Health Education England (HEE) has announced that he is stepping down after eight years in post. 

Ian Cumming will take up two new roles – chairman of the West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust and professor of global healthcare workforce and strategy in the faculty of medicine and health sciences at Keele University. 

The former NHS chief executive and CEO of HEE said that he will be leaving his post on 20 March after a total of 38 years in NHS employment. 

Professor Cumming said: ‘Deciding to leave HEE has been a very hard choice for me, as I will be leaving behind a fantastic team of dedicated people and an organisation that is central to the future of the NHS.’ 

Before taking in his role at HEE, Professor Cumming began his career as a biomedical scientist in England, and then went on to work in a variety of NHS general management posts. 

HEE chair Sir David Behan thanked Professor Cumming for ‘all he has achieved over the years.’ 

Since taking on the role of chief executive of HEE in 2012, Professor Cumming has recruited the highest number of GP trainees in NHS history, reaching 3,538 trainees this year – beating the annual target of 3,250 for the second year in a row. 

He also helped establish six new medical schools and trained more than one million NHS staff in dementia awareness, among other things. 

‘He will be missed by many colleagues here in HEE, though I am pleased that he will continue to help our global work,’ said Sir David.

He also added that the search for Professor Cumming’s successor will begin ‘immediately’. 

Anthony Marsh, chief executive of West Midlands Ambulance Service, said: ‘Professor Cumming brings a wealth of knowledge of the trust, our region, and the broader NHS as well as extensive experience in executive and non-executive roles. We look forward to welcoming him next year.’

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