Simon Stevens: NHS England chief executive to step down and become life peer

Politicians, health officials and government pay tribute to NHS chief after seven years of service

Sir Simon Stevens has served as chief executive since 2014 (Getty Images)

The head of NHS England, Sir Simon Stevens, is to step down from his role at the end of July, the government has announced.

Downing Street said that Sir Simon, who has served as chief executive since 2014, is also to be made a peer.

The 54-year-old notified the NHS England Board of his decision to stand down on Thursday, saying it had been a “privilege” to lead the health service “through some of the toughest challenges in its history”.

Sir Simon was due to leave the role sooner but agreed last year to stay on as chief executive to see the NHS through the pandemic. “Now seems like a good time to hand on the baton,” he said in an internal letter circulated to staff.

“You can be rightly proud of what the NHS has achieved – not just under the past year’s extreme test of the Covid pandemic, but over the years before that too.”

Prime minister Boris Johnson said Sir Simon had served the NHS "with great distinction".

"I want to thank him for his dedicated service throughout – but especially when facing the extraordinary pressures of the past year, and for his huge contribution to our vaccine rollout," said Mr Johnson.

Sir Simon first joined the NHS in 1988 through its graduate management programme. He worked in frontline services, international health care – in both the public and private sectors – and Downing Street before being appointed chief executive of NHS England on 1 April 2014.

Confirming his peerage, a government statement said: "The Queen has been pleased to confer a peerage of the United Kingdom for Life on Sir Simon Stevens, upon him stepping down as chief executive of NHS England.”

The NHS said it will begin recruiting for a replacement in due course. It intends to have a successor appointed before Sir Simon steps down on 31 July.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer thanked the NHS chief for “his extraordinary service” over the years.

“Simon has been a hugely effective advocate for the NHS, its patients and staff, and has led the service with great distinction through the greatest challenges it has faced since its foundation,” he said.

Health secretary Matt Hancock and his predecessor Jeremy Hunt also paid tribute to Sir Simon's work.

Mr Hancock said: "Throughout his tenure Sir Simon Stevens has been a steadfast and sage leader for our national health service, and that has been especially true during this most testing period in NHS history.

"His leadership has helped NHS staff to overcome unprecedented adversity and keep services open for millions of patients in the face of this global pandemic."

Commons Health and Social Care Committee chairman Mr Hunt said: "Hiring him remains one of the best decisions I have ever taken.

"He will be remembered for giving the world's fifth largest organisation strategic direction at a time of great challenge.”

In a statement released on Thursday, Sir Simon said: “The people of this country have rightly recognised the extraordinary service of NHS staff during this terrible pandemic, as well as the success of our Covid vaccination deployment.

“As the pandemic recedes in this country, the NHS’s track record in advancing medical progress in a way that works for everyone rightly continues to inspire young people to join one of the greatest causes – health and high quality care for all, now and for future generations.”