Words by GOLD newsdesk
Dr Samantha Roberts will take up the role of Chief Executive of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) on 1 February 2022, as Professor Gillian Leng retires after 20 years at the helm, it has been announced.
“I am delighted to welcome Samantha Roberts to NICE,” said Sharmila Nebhrajani, Chairman of NICE, on announcing the appointment. “She brings a wealth of experience and knowledge of the life sciences sector and the NHS that I know will help to drive our future vision.”
Currently Managing Director for Health and Care at Legal and General, Dr Roberts has more than 20 years’ experience of the healthcare sector, having worked in various positions across service delivery, consultancy and as a clinician. In recent years, she has held positions within NHS England such as Director of Innovation, Research and Life Sciences and Chief Executive of the Accelerated Access Collaborative.
Commenting on her appointment, Dr Roberts said: “We are living through a golden age of medical innovation, so it is an enormous privilege to be asked to lead an organisation that has both such a proud history and a such a significant future role to play in bringing the best of this innovation into practice.”
Responding to the news, ABPI Chief Executive Dr Richard Torbett commented: “Sam’s breadth of experience will be invaluable as she leads NICE to improve patient outcomes and build a thriving life sciences sector in the UK. NICE is a critical partner for the ABPI and our members and we look forward to working closely with Sam to deliver our shared ambition for patients.”