CQC Announces Preferred Candidate for New Chair

The government has announced its preferred candidate to become the next Chair of the Care Quality Commission.

The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has named Rabbi Baroness Julia Neuberger DBE as the preferred candidate for the role.

Before the appointment can be confirmed, Baroness Neuberger will appear before the Health and Social Care Select Committee for a pre-appointment hearing, which is currently expected to take place in September.

If approved, she will succeed Kay Boycott, who will continue serving as Interim Chair until the appointment process has been completed.

CQC has welcomed the announcement and confirmed that it will issue a full statement following the Committee’s pre-appointment hearing.

The appointment comes at an important time for CQC as the regulator continues its work to strengthen its organisation and improve the way it regulates health and social care services.

Although the announcement does not result in any immediate changes for providers, the appointment of a new Chair is a significant milestone for the regulator. The Chair is responsible for leading CQC’s Board, providing strategic oversight and supporting the organisation’s long-term direction.

The Daily Round will continue to monitor the appointment process and provide updates once the parliamentary hearing has taken place and the appointment is formally confirmed.

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