University of Bath vice-chancellor Professor Dame Glynis Breakwell has been appointed as a non-executive director of NHS Improvement, the new body responsible for improving the National Health Service.
NHS Improvement, which launched on April 1, brings together the NHS Trust Development Authority, Monitor, and teams from NHS England that look at patient safety and improvement. 
It will oversee providers of NHS care including foundation trusts, NHS trusts and independent providers.
As well as leading the University of Bath – one of the UK’s most successful universities with a growing international reputation for the quality of its academic research and student experience – Dame Glynis, pictured, is one of Europe’s foremost social psychologists and an active public policy adviser and researcher specialising in leadership, identity processes and risk management.
The appointment aligns with the university’s strength and expertise in research. These include the Bath Centre for Healthcare Innovation & Improvement (CHI2), part of the university’s School of Management which is addressing complex challenges facing the UK’s health and social care systems, while experts in health and psychology are leading research into areas such as behaviour change and mental health interventions; sport, health & exercise science; tobacco control; and work, health & wellbeing.
Dame Glynis said: “The NHS is one of the most important organisations in our lives. I am delighted to be asked to contribute to its work through NHS Improvement. There are many challenges ahead and I believe that there is a vital role for our universities through their research and their development of health and social care professionals.”
The NHS Improvement board includes eight non-executive directors of whom three, including Prof Breakwell, are new appointments made by Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt.
NHS Improvement chair Ed Smith said: “NHS Improvement gives us an opportunity to support providers to make real change for patients. I’m delighted to welcome those members who’ve joined our board, adding their expertise and knowledge to that we’ve brought over from the NHS Trust Development Authority and from Monitor.”
The University of Bath is one of the UK’s leading universities in terms of research and its reputation for excellence in teaching, learning and graduate prospects.
Some 87% of its research has been defined as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ and ranges from helping make aircraft more fuel efficient, to identifying infectious diseases more quickly and cutting carbon emissions through innovative building solutions.
