A Chief People Officer has been appointed to the executive team for the new Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB).
Mrs Shajeda Ahmed will take up the role once the ICB formally begins operation, moving to the Black Country from her current role as Executive Director of People, Organisational Development and Inclusion for North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust.
As Chief People Officer, she will be responsible for all aspects of staff recruitment, training and wellbeing for the ICB, as well as providing strategic leadership on workforce for the wider Black Country health and care system, with a particular focus on diversity and inclusion.
Mrs Ahmed said: “I am delighted to have been offered the role of Chief People Officer for the Black Country. Throughout my time in Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent I have been privileged to work with some amazing colleagues and I hope to bring all my learning with me to this new role.
“I have a particular passion for inclusion as I believe a diverse workforce leads to better decision making, increased innovation and ultimately improved care for those we serve.”
The latest appointment brings the new NHS leadership team closer to completion, with Mrs Ahmed joining the already-appointed Designates, being the Chief Operating Officer, Chief Medical Officer, Chief Nursing Officer and Chief Finance Officer on the board of the ICB.
Mr Mark Axcell, interim Chief Executive Designate of the ICB, said: “I am delighted to confirm the appointment of Shajeda Ahmed as our Chief People Officer, a pivotal role in our new leadership team.
“Under Shajeda’s leadership, we will make the Black Country the best place to work – as we know that a happy, engaged and productive workforce is a crucial first step to providing first class services that are well placed to tackle health inequalities and deliver a healthier future for local people.”
Work to recruit a substantive Chief Executive Officer and a new Chief Equalities and Innovation Officer for the ICB is ongoing.
Information about all the ICB leadership roles can be found here.
About the new Chief People Officer:
Shajeda Ahmed has used her expertise and people management experience of over 20 years in both public and private sectors, to progress to her current position as our Chief People Officer. Shajeda joins the Black Country from her role as Executive Director of People, OD and Inclusion for North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare, where under Shajeda’s direction, the people team earned national recognition for their work.
As an advocate for cultural transformation and inclusivity, Shajeda will lead the people plan for the Integrated Care System with the aim of making the Black Country the best place to work.
Shajeda has a particular passion and insight to share on the subject of inclusion. A diverse workforce leads to better decision making and increased innovation which enables all of us to improve the care that we provide from wherever we work. This has been informed by her belief that everyone should have the same opportunities and be treated fairly and equally, recognising and accepting difference as a dynamic to be celebrated and a skill to be harnessed, something to be proud of. A Chief People Officer has been appointed to the executive team for the new Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB).
