Published: 28/02/2002, Volume II2, No. 5794 Page 20 21
Name: Peter Wilkinson
Job: Head of health strategy, Audit Commission
Style: 'Absolutely not an accountant.'Mildmannered believer in creating a more civilised society. Likes quotations: a fave is anthropologist Margaret Mead's 'Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed people can change the world'.Staunch defender of Audit Commission independence from government departments.
Responsible for working with the Commission for Health Improvement and keen to stress partnership.He is diplomatic over rumours that the government might merge the two: 'Any proposals would have to be assessed against clear criteria.'Background: Started career as an army officer, joining the Royal Artillery for tours of duty in Belfast and Derry 'at the height of the Troubles'.
Later took a desk job, then did a stint at Portsmouth and South-east Hampshire health authority examining Tory market reforms before the Audit Commission snapped him up - he has been there for 12 years.Developed performance indicators for councils, and was cheerfully described as 'about to become the most unpopular man in local government'.Became associate controller in 1993, then local government studies director, director of corporate resources and director of knowledge and information management.Took on the health strategy role in July.
Future prospects: A higher profile, with an 'annual commentary'on the state of the NHS and reviews of the national service frameworks on the way.Many hours lie ahead of swapping civilised, evidence-based remarks with CHI's Dr Peter Homa - imagine them in a graceful Georgian drawing room.
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