Frances O’Callaghan will lead on the creation next year of the largest-ever NHS regional body covering an area of 4.5 million people

The boss who will help create England’s largest regional NHS body covering north, central and west London has been named.

Frances O’Callaghan, who has led North Central London Integrated Care Board (ICB) since its creation in 2022, will now also run North West London ICB, overseeing the merger of the two organisations, which will be finalised in April 2026.

The new NHS regional body will “deliver cost savings, become a highly effective strategic commissioner and continue to deliver for local people”, according to the two ICBs.

The merger will represent the third major overhaul of the way the NHS plans and pays for local primary care services in North London in just 14 years.

Until 2012, each London borough had its own NHS primary care trust. These were then transformed into clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) led by GPs but, a decade later, five North London borough CCGs merged to form one body, the current North Central London ICB.

The merged organisation, which will be called West and North London ICB, will be the largest in England, covering 13 London boroughs in total and serving a population of around 4.5 million people.

The news of Frances’s new role comes following the recent appointment of Mike Bell as the new chair for both organisations.

He said: “I’d like to congratulate Frances on her appointment and I look forward to working with her in this new role as we focus on successfully delivering the merger, focus on strategic commissioning, tackling health inequalities across our 13 boroughs, and continuing to deliver high quality care for our patients and communities.

“Frances has an impressive track record in leadership roles across the NHS and is a brilliant appointment for this new role, leading what will become the biggest ICB in the country – West and North London. Nevertheless, I know it is important to both of us to maintain a focus on and connection to our local communities and partners.

“I also want to thank Rob Hurd, who announced his resignation as CEO of North West London ICB earlier this year. Rob helped establish one of the most successful ICBs, building strong partnerships to improve outcomes for residents.”

Frances said: “I am excited to be taking up this new role and look forward to working with partners, colleagues and communities from across all our boroughs.

“When people need health services, I want to ensure their experience is positive. We also need to improve the lives of people across our area – particularly those who are experiencing the greatest inequity.

“To achieve these ambitions, I know how important it is to ensure we hear and understand what community health needs are. We have to know and understand our many, diverse communities and populations. This will drive how we commission high quality services, collaborating with our many local and specialist partnerships to make a real difference.”

Caroline Clarke, regional director for the NHS in London added: “I am delighted to welcome Frances to her new role. Her experience leading NHS services in north London over the past few years makes her the ideal person to bring together North West London and North Central London ICBs and to deliver on behalf of our population and staff. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Rob Hurd for his significant contribution to the NHS in London.”

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