Dr Neil Goodwin CBE has announced his decision to step down as Chair of Liverpool Health Partners (LHP).

Dr Goodwin was appointed chair of LHP in November 2017, overseeing the successful revitalisation of the academic health partnership. This included commissioning an external review and leading implementation of its recommendations, including appointing a CEO and executive directors.

He has decided to step down from the end of March 2021 as part of his move into retirement during next year.

Dr Goodwin said: “I am delighted to have led the revitalisation of LHP, it is now a positive, working partnership that significantly contributes to the development of health sciences research, the health of patients and the wider economy across the city of Liverpool and the wider region.

“I am grateful to LHP’s 12 partner organisations and wider stakeholders for their ongoing commitment to LHP; it is their working together with Chief Executive Officer Dr Dawn Lawson, her team and clinical academic leaders that have made LHP what it is today.

“I look forward to my successor supporting Dawn and the Partners’ Board in taking LHP into its next phase of development regionally, nationally and internationally.”

Dr Dawn Lawson, Chief Executive of Liverpool Health Partners said: “Neil has led LHP through a significant period of growth and consolidation which has included an organisational re-structure, review of the business strategy, and secured increased investment from our partners.

“As Chair, Neil has ensured that the Partnership Board has worked collaboratively across the city to achieve our ambitions. This has been fundamental in enabling us to deliver initiatives such as the unique Single Point of Access for Research and Knowledge (SPARK).

“Neil will be very much missed and I would like to thank him for his commitment to LHP and his support as Chair. I wish him the very best for his retirement.” 

Prof Louise Kenny, Deputy Chair of LHP, said: “The Board would like to offer Neil their sincere thanks. Under his chairmanship, LHP has transformed the health research ecosystem in the Liverpool city region.

“Neil has brought clarity, a sense of purpose and a focused strategy and above all, alignment and partnership to what was once a rather fragmented arena.

“Research performance metrics across the board have improved exponentially and we owe Neil a debt of gratitude.

“He can take great pride in the legacy which will inevitably be between health outcomes for the people of this region. We wish him well for the future.”

About Neil Goodwin

Dr Goodwin is an experienced board chair, leadership academic and a former chief executive. In addition to chairing LHP since 2017, Neil also chairs Onward Homes Ltd, the largest social housing provider in North West England. For five years, until October 2019, he chaired Aintree University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in Merseyside, leading its merger with The Royal Liverpool Hospital. He has also chaired several partnership boards. Neil’s CEO roles have included St Mary’s Hospital, London and the Greater Manchester Strategic Health Authority.

For more than 10 years, he was visiting professor of leadership studies at Manchester Business School and an honorary professor at Durham University and University College London. As a leadership academic Neil consulted on strategy, leadership development, the creation of academic health science centres, and undertook confidential inquiries into board leadership and governance. Neil is the author of numerous papers on leadership and the book, Leadership in Healthcare. He holds postgraduate degrees from London and Manchester Business Schools, and in 2007 he was appointed CBE for services to the NHS.