King's Fund shortlists three while NPSA seeks chair

The King's Fund has shortlisted three candidates for a chief executive to replace Rabbi Julia Neuberger, HSJ understands.

King's Fund director of health policy Dr Jennifer Dixon, Department of Health director of strategy Professor Chris Ham and BBC social affairs correspondent Niall Dickson were about to be told they had been shortlisted from 20 candidates as HSJ went to press, sources said.

Dr Dixon was not available, and Professor Ham and Mr Dickson would not comment. The King's Fund said it hoped to make an appointment by mid to late October, with a candidate to start in the new year.

Meanwhile, the National Patient Safety Agency is advertising for a chair to replace Professor Rory Shaw, who is leaving after one term.

Former junior health minister Lord Hunt - whose ministerial portfolio included patient safety - looks likely to be a front runner for the three-day-a-week role.

After his resignation as a minister, Lord Hunt said that he hoped to find a role as a chair of an NHS body. This week he would not comment on suggestions that he might be a contender for the NPSA role.

The agency is understood to be keen to increase the profile of its work. The advertisement by the Appointments Commission in this week's HSJ calls for 'an outstanding candidate who has a high level of personal credibility, a proven track record of providing strong and effective leadership and the ability to command the respect and confidence of NPSA staff, the NHS, the patients and the public'.