Public Servant Lifestyle

Supermarket supremo Clare Chapman is to be the new Director General of Workforce at the Department of Health, responsible for workforce issues in the NHS and social care system across England.

Currently the Group Personnel Director of Tesco, 46-year-old Clare will take up the DoH post from the beginning of 2007.

She brings with her more than 20 years experience working in human resources, as a champion of talent development, staff engagement and the sharing of best practice. Her previous roles include Vice President of Human Resources, Central Europe Operations, Pepsi Cola International and Dean of Quaker University, Quaker Oats Inc. where she established Quaker's worldwide learning institute on behalf of the CEO.

Non Executive Director (and Remuneration Committee chair) of First Choice Holidays PLC, Clare is also a Board Member of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, (QCA), Advisory Board Member for the Judge Institute, Business School for the University of Cambridge, member of the Government's Apprenticeship Task Force and a Fellow of the Institute of Personnel.

Fantastic Opportunity

"I am delighted to be given such a fantastic opportunity," says Clare. "The values of the health and social care system make it unique and I am proud to be part of a service which has such an important purpose and is internationally regarded.

"I am sure that the achievements of recent years are thanks to the talents and hard work of staff who make the difference every day for patients and users of services.

"I share the commitment that these staff have for the NHS and social care system and its values...I am looking forward to the challenge of developing people policies that build confidence, provide increased opportunity for staff to develop their skills and develops high quality patient care".

"Clare brings outstanding experience to the leadership team of the Department of Health," says Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt.

"The quality of health and social care depends upon the commitment and dedication of over 1.3 million NHS staff and over 1.6 million people working in social care. I know that Clare is determined to ensure that they receive the support they need from the Department of Health.

"She will work closely with the newly-appointed NHS chief executive, David Nicholson, and acting Permanent Secretary Hugh Taylor and other members of the enlarged and strengthened Department of Health leadership team.

"Clare's commitment to social partnership and her experience of leading human resource development in large UK and international organisations will be invaluable in this next stage of investment and reform in the NHS."

Hugh Taylor, Acting Permanent Secretary of the Department of Health, said: "Clare has a pivotal role to play in providing strategic leadership to the policies for our people throughout the health and care system to support the delivery of better care for patients and improved staff well being".

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