Monitor interviews candidates for chair

The chair will oversee the evolution of Monitor into an economic regulator with responsibility for promoting NHS competition, setting tariff prices and dealing with service failures.

The scale of the regulatory changes prompted health secretary Andrew Lansley to inform current chair Steve Bundred in November that a new appointment was needed.

HSJ understands four candidates have been shortlisted, one of which is an “outsider” to the NHS.

Several foundation trust chief executives told HSJ they hoped the job would go to Bill Moyes, who stepped down as executive chairman last January when the post was split as part of governance changes.

However if Mr Moyes were appointed, he would need to work closely with NHS chief executive Sir David Nicholson, particularly over price setting.

Sir David, who will also head the NHS Commissioning Board, previously clashed with Mr Moyes, who was a loud cheerleader for the independence of foundation trusts.

As highlighted in HSJ, there are concerns that the Health Bill allows the centre to impose more direction over Monitor and providers than was previously envisaged.

Cooperation and Competition panel chair Lord Patrick Carter and former Healthcare Commission chief executive Anna Walker have also been tipped as strong candidates for the post.

Senior sources praised Lord Carter’s business background, which spans industries such as insurance, healthcare and information technology.

Ms Walker’s long regulatory background also includes her current role as chair of the Office of Rail Regulation and being deputy director general of Oftel, which regulates the communications industries.