A NEW leadership team has been formally appointed to steer the next phase of a major NHS shake-up across the south west.

Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire, Dorset and Somerset are merging to create a single executive structure.

The recently announced appointments mark a key milestone in the creation of the new ICB cluster – a move first announced last year as part of wider NHS plans to reduce duplication, strengthen strategic commissioning and improve how services are planned across neighbouring areas.

Under the arrangement, the three ICBs will continue to serve their local populations but will increasingly work together through a shared executive team.

The aim is to pool expertise, make better use of resources and take a more joined-up approach to some of the biggest challenges facing the NHS, from population health to financial sustainability.

Following a full recruitment process, the newly appointed executive team brings together senior leaders with experience spanning finance, commissioning, clinical leadership, nursing and public health.

Three place directors have also been confirmed with further place-based roles due to be appointed to reflect the diversity of communities across the cluster.

The team includes Alison Henly as chief officer for strategic finance and resources, David Freeman as chief officer for commissioning and place, Bernie Marden as chief medical officer, Shelagh Meldrum as chief nursing officer, Amanda Webb as chief officer for population health improvement, Dean Spencer as place director for Dorset, David McClay as place director for Somerset, and Gordon Muvuti as place director for Swindon.

Jonathan Higman, cluster chief executive, said the appointments represented “a new chapter” and an important step in the transition towards a single, high-performing strategic commissioning organisation.

He also paid tribute to existing executive directors across the three ICBs, thanking them for their “remarkable strength, resilience and unity” during a period of significant change, and acknowledged the uncertainty that structural reform can bring.

With leadership now in place, the focus turns to the next stage of integration and what the new cluster could mean for how health services are planned and delivered across the region in the years ahead.