Louise Edwards

Louise was appointed in November 2012 and was made a non-voting member of the Board from 1 September 2015. She was made an Executive Director on 29 July 2020.

She is an experienced Board level strategist and leader who has a track record of achievement in leading change in both NHS commissioning and provider organisations, policy development, and service improvement across the public sector. She has extensive experience at both strategic and operational levels in the NHS, having had Board level roles in primary care trusts and NHS trusts with responsibility for strategy and planning, organisational development, communications, patient and public involvement and partnership development. Louise has also worked on strategy and commissioning development for strategic health authorities, and on commissioning assurance for the NHS Commissioning Board (now NHS England).

Prior to joining the NHS in 2005, Louise had leadership roles in the not-for-profit sector and was an academic at Manchester University. This varied experience across health, social care and government has enabled her to develop a strong network and deep insight into strategic change in the health service, in national government and local government, and health care improvement in partnership with other sectors.