ICBs appoint joint finance chief in national first

Two integrated care boards in the Midlands have appointed the first finance chief to head up two systems.

Bill Shields will become chief finance officer at Nottingham and Nottinghamshire and Derby and Derbyshire ICBs at the start of April, the ICBs announced today. It is thought to be the first such arrangement nationally.

The neighbouring systems already share a chair, Kathy McLean, and have branded their collaboration as “D2N2”.

They have previously said there are no plans to merge the finance teams at each ICB. However, Mr Shields, who will split his time equally between each ICB, will lead on the development of a shared long-term strategy for financial sustainability.

Mr Shields will move from Devon, where he was CFO of the ICB, which he joined in 2022, as well as more recently interim chief executive at Torbay and South Devon Foundation Trust. This followed a five-year stint running the finances for Bermuda’s hospital board.

He replaces Keith Griffiths and Stuart Poynor, who have recently stepped down as each ICB’s CFO.

Mr Shields said: “I am delighted to be able to take up this joint role. The challenges facing NHS finances are well known, but I am joining two health systems who have the fundamental components in place to make the best use of the significant public resources at our disposal.”

Chris Clayton, Derby and Derbyshire ICB CEO, said: “We’re delighted to have been able to secure the services of a candidate with Bill’s experience and calibre. The joint arrangements further cement the partnership working across the East Midlands, connected to the opportunities available through the creation of the East Midlands Combined County Authority.”

Between them, the two systems are forecasting delivery of a £150m deficit in 2024-25.

D2N2’s incoming finance boss has previously said patient choice is “leaching” money out of the NHS.