Katherine Rake to move on from Healthwatch England

Katherine joined Healthwatch England as its first chief executive in January 2013.

Announcing Katherine's decision, Healthwatch England Chair Anna Bradley said:

"Katherine has done a fantastic job taking Healthwatch from concept, through set-up and on to delivery.

"In three years she has ensured we have demonstrated the value of the Healthwatch concept in bringing people’s insight and experience to national policy debates; supported the local Healthwatch network to set up and develop local engagement and influence; and established Healthwatch England as an effective part of the health and social care landscape."

Recruitment will soon begin for a suitable replacement. Anna said:

"This will be an opportunity for someone to take Healthwatch England through the next stage of our development: maturing our organisation; demonstrating the changes made as a consequence of Healthwatch action to identify current risk and future opportunity for better shaped services; and supporting local Healthwatch by helping them when they're struggling and ensuring they have the necessary conditions to thrive."

Katherine said:

"It's been a privilege to do this job and I'm incredibly proud of the progress Healthwatch England and local Healthwatch have made. We've helped amplify people's voices, driving positive change and adding real value to health and social care decision-making through our collective insight and advice."

"I'm pleased that I'll be leaving the organisation in a strong position as it moves forward into the next stage of its development."