The Black Country ICB is responsible for meeting local health needs, managing the local NHS budget, ensuring services are in place to deliver against ambitions and overseeing the delivery of improved outcomes for the population.
Since being formally established on 1 July 2022, Mr Jonathan Fellows has successfully led the ICB as Chair, having previously led the Black Country and West Birmingham Sustainability and Transformation Partnership (STP). He has played a pivotal role within the local health and care system and is also Chair of the Black Country Integrated Care Partnership.
Anu Singh will replace Jonathan Fellows as Chair from 1 September 2024, as Mr Fellows tenure comes to an end. The Chair appointment is made by NHS England, with the approval of the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and is effective until September 2026.
Anu brings a wealth of experience to the role as a Board-level local government and health leader. She has been a statutory Director of Adult Social Care and Chaired an integrated NHS Trust and was also Director of Patient and Public Participation and Insight for NHS England, taking the lead for the NHS in ensuring the voice of patients, service users, carers and the public is at its heart.
Speaking about her appointment, Anu said: “I am delighted to be appointed as Chair of the NHS Black Country ICB and hope to use my experience and work in national and local leadership roles to support the system in improving health outcomes, tackling health inequalities, and making sure our local NHS is as productive as possible for the population it serves.
“Across my career I have always worked to build meaningful partnerships with communities, and I look forward to collaborating with colleagues, partners, residents and patients and build upon the great progress that has already been made to ensure we are doing everything we can to improve health inequalities across the Black Country.
“I also want to thank Jonathan for his commitment and leadership in the development of Black Country’s Integrated Care System so far, and for paving the way for future work needed.”
Mr Jonathan Fellows said: “It has been my privilege to have worked since 2016 at a system level in the Black Country and in particular to have chaired the ICB Board over its first two years since its creation in 2022.
“I am proud to have played a part in bringing together our NHS organisations, primary care partners, councils, voluntary organisations and others to help deliver our ambitions to improve the lives of everyone living and working across this great Black Country area.
“Above all, it has been inspiring to see the ambition and commitment shown by so many people in the Black Country to forge strong partnerships, be creative and innovative in delivering excellent care and empower people and communities to stay healthy.
“Anu’s extensive experience combined with her ability to build impactful, lasting partnerships across health and care, will, I am sure, be a real asset for the people of the Black Country and I wish her every success in her new role.”
