NHS England Midlands Chair appointed Honorary Professor of Practice at Warwick Medical School

NHS England Midlands Chair Professor Russell Hardy MBE has been appointed Honorary Professor of Practice at Warwick Medical School.

A two-time graduate of the University of Warwick, Russell has built a distinguished career in health and care leadership. His appointment recognises his significant contribution to improving health outcomes, driving innovation and fostering partnership-working across the NHS.

Russell has held senior leadership roles across the health and care sector for many years. He has chaired South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust for the past decade and more recently led the Foundation Group, which includes George Eliot Hospital, Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust and Wye Valley NHS Trust.

Professor Gavin Perkins MBE, Dean of Medicine at Warwick Medical School, said: “Russell’s track record of leadership, innovation and improvement in healthcare exemplifies the values we promote at Warwick Medical School. His commitment to better patient outcomes, partnership working and the sharing of best practice makes this an exciting appointment for the School and our wider community.”

Professor Russell Hardy MBE, Chair of NHS England Midlands Region, said: “It is a real privilege to receive this appointment and to strengthen my connection with Warwick, my alma mater. I look forward to working with colleagues across the Medical School and wider University to help develop new approaches that support sustainable healthcare and improve outcomes for patients and communities across our region and beyond.”

Dr Jessica Sokolov, Midlands Regional Medical Director for NHS England, said: “Russell’s passion, ambition, and commitment to improving population health and healthcare outcomes for the Midlands is clear. His appointment to Warwick Medical School will further strengthen collaboration between the NHS and academia and create valuable opportunities for learning, innovation, and improvement.”

Professor Simon Brake DL, Chief Innovation and Engagement Officer at Warwick Medical School, said: “Russell has long championed new models of care, evidence-based improvement and the evaluation of patient outcomes. His collaborative approach to learning, development and partnership working will create significant opportunities to support innovation and strengthen health and care systems both nationally and internationally.”

Warwick Medical School, part of the University of Warwick, delivers the UK’s leading Graduate Entry Medicine MBChB programme alongside internationally recognised research, postgraduate education and frontline translational innovation, all focused on improving the lives of patients and populations around the world.