Professor Chris Ham to lead The King’s Fund from April, 2010

Professor Chris Ham has been appointed new chief executive of UK health think tank The King’s Fund.

Professor Ham, currently professor of health policy and management at the University of Birmingham’s Health Services Management Centre, will succeed Niall Dickson next April.

“I am looking forward to joining The King's Fund at such a fascinating and challenging time for the NHS,” Professor Ham said. “The combination of leadership development, high-quality, independent policy analysis, and practical support for the improvement of services that the Fund provides will be increasingly vital as pressures on the health care system continue to grow.

“I have worked closely with The King's Fund for many years and recognise its positive influence on health policy and on service improvement. I'm pleased to be joining such a committed and effective team.”

Commenting on the appointment, Sir Cyril Chantler, chairman of The King’s Fund, said: “Chris brings with him extensive expertise in health care, an internationally recognised reputation for research, communication and thought leadership, and a genuine commitment to improvement of health care.

“Under Niall Dickson’s leadership the Fund has gone from strength to strength. He has built on the Fund’s reputation for independent, expert policy analysis, increased our impact on health care through improvement and leadership programmes, and personally made a significant contribution to key areas of national health care policy.

“I am confident that Chris will build on the achievements of recent years and ensure that the Fund continues to act as a major force in health care policy and improvement over the years to come.”