Chief Executive Designate of new Essex Integrated Care Board cluster announced
Health / Sun 5th Oct 2025 at 07:39am
LOCAL healthcare leader Tom Abell has been appointed as Chief Executive Designate of the new Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) cluster.
The formation of a new Essex ICB cluster will see a single body responsible for the strategic commissioning of NHS services for the county.
Speaking on his announcement, Tom said: “I am delighted to be taking on the leadership of the new Essex ICB at this pivotal time. This development presents a unique opportunity for Essex to shape a truly local and practical approach to integrated care—one that reflects the needs and aspirations of the communities we serve.
“From my experience in working with partners across our healthcare system and beyond, I know that our ability to make a meaningful difference depends on the strength of our partnerships. As we move forward, deepening these relationships will be central to how we work.”
The new Essex ICB cluster will operate in shadow form in the coming months and will formally replace the current three ICBs which cover Essex from 1 April 2026*.
Clare Panniker, regional director for NHS England in the East of England, said:
“I’m delighted to confirm the appointment of Tom Abell as Chief Executive. He brings a wealth of experience of health service leadership to the benefit of patients across the ICB area and wider region.
“This appointment will play a pivotal role in helping us deliver the bold and ambitious 10 Year Health Plan here in the East of England.”
The development of a single ICB for Essex follows national policy direction. The change will simplify care commissioning and delivery across the county, enabling a sharper focus on prevention, early intervention, and reducing health inequalities.
Building on existing place-based partnerships will be key to achieving these goals and ensuring that services are designed around the needs of local people.
Tom Abell, who has served as Chief Executive of NHS Mid and South Essex for the past year, brings a deep understanding of the value of strong, collaborative relationships across the NHS, local government, the voluntary sector, and other partners. Under his leadership, the new Essex ICB will focus on strengthening these connections to improve health outcomes and reduce inequalities.
Further information about the development of the new Essex ICB cluster will be published in the coming weeks.
dan
2025-10-05 08:02:51
"Served as Chief Executive of NHS Mid and South Essex" - Wes Streeting said that he was going to stop rewarding failure - How long did that promise last? - and NHS Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board has gone and now there is a new Essex Integrated Care Board, (ICB) cluster and so what is the Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care System, (ICS) - Utter lunacy and contempt for us all
Nicholas Taylor
2025-10-05 08:22:13
And at the same time the government wants to see the services provided by one council (Essex County Council) being divided up between a number of new Unitary councils (maybe three, four or five) in Essex. I am afraid this is just another example of how the elected leaders of all Parties are not fit for purpose.
Adam
2025-10-05 09:34:31
Go look at his linkedin outside a short 3 years where he worked for a PWC consultancy he has never had a real job, job just existed in the public sector. No wonder the public sector is in such a mess with "leaders" like this.
David Forman
2025-10-05 11:09:39
Nicholas Taylor is correct. One side of the equation integrates into one county based organisation and the other side then splits into multiple parts. Without a focus on productivity, procurement and contract management our taxpayer money is going to be thrown away. Too many NHS managers outsource work because they are not up to the job of managing it themselves. Far too little is spent on management training.
Colleen Morrison
2025-10-05 11:50:19
How will this Chief Executive Designate of the new Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) cluster be accountable to the public? What is the salary for this odd position and what huge amount is to be paid into his local authority pension?
Nancy
2025-10-05 12:37:31
At PAH this week, there is ONE vacancy for a nurse. There are SEVEN jobs in Admin including a Project manager for widening access and participation “to lead innovative programmes that support individuals from underrepresented and economically inactive groups into health and care careers” - That job pays the same as the Snr Nurse. On the pay grade ABOVE there is a vacancy for a DEPUTY Head of Chaplaincy - “We can’t get your OP done because of staff shortages, but you’ll be in our prayers”
David Forman
2025-10-05 13:06:02
Tom Abell is well qualified in failure. The article says: "Tom Abell, who has served as Chief Executive of NHS Mid and South Essex for the past year." Where did this trust appear in the acute hospital trust league table published September 9? Answer: 123 out of 134, even worse than PAH. See the table at https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/acute-trust-league-table/
Daisy
2025-10-05 13:06:34
Adam - His Linkedin show that he doesn't survive anywhere very long - He probably won't be around when the new Essex ICB cluster comes out of its shadow form to shine amongst us.- Three jobs in five years - I'd bin a CV like that.
Adam
2025-10-05 14:18:40
Daisy people who fail move about a lot faster, it masks failure - mind I had a few jobs when I was young as often it was only way to get pay rise. Difference is I had to be able to pass deep technical interviews to test knowledge.
Lilian
2025-10-05 14:20:51
Again we see another "leader" getting the big salary with no skills, no achievements and he will hire chiefs for everything on huge salary's like PAH.
Edward
2025-10-05 14:26:16
And the fact that they are getting rid of alot of people at PAH as well and wiped out entire structures who actually do the work right before winter, good luck to them. Get rid of the lower pyramid but recent hiring habits like hiring mates from other trusts into exec roles and adding deputies to jobs that dont need deputies ( Again more mates for jobs) and making the pyramid even more top heavy. Good luck to them, maybe they should ask all the staff they are dumping if they be interested in training for healthcare roles to help support.
Seamus
2025-10-06 07:42:13
When I used A&E on Friday, there was only 1 doctor on duty. How about the trust hiring more doctors than very well paid suits getting jobs for the boys?
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