Robin takes over the role from Acting Chair of Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB, Professor Gurch Randhawa, who will now step into the role of Deputy Chair.
In September, Robin Porter was announced as the Chair of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough ICB, in addition to his existing role as Chair of Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes ICB. With his new additional responsibility for the Hertfordshire and west Essex area, Robin now Chairs all three of the East of England ICBs which are expected to be legally established as Central East ICB in April 2026.
By working across significantly larger geographical areas, the ICBs of the future are expected to be able to operate more efficiently, reducing their running costs whilst delivering significant improvements in NHS services for residents.
Robin said of his appointment:
It is a privilege to be appointed to lead Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB – which is expected to form a significant part of what will become one of England’s largest Integrated Care Boards, serving 3.5 million people in one of the most diverse, vibrant and fast-growing areas of England – where I am proud to be a resident.
I have already begun to meet, listen to and learn from NHS colleagues, local government leaders, partner organisations and residents across the area. I am thrilled to be a part of the mission to reshape health and care services and implement the government’s three big priorities in its 10 Year Plan for Health: shifting the emphasis from a sickness service to a service that supports people to stay healthy, moving NHS support out of big hospitals and into local neighbourhoods when that’s in patients’ best interests, and creating modern, digital, services which are fit for our residents now, and in the future.”
Robin Porter
The three current ICBs Robin now Chairs will legally remain in place until proposed changes are enacted in April 2026.
As part of the reorganisation of services in the East of England NHS area, the three district council areas in the west of Essex – Harlow, Uttlesford and Epping – which are currently served by Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB, are expected to join an Essex-based cluster of ICBs, working closely with Mid and South Essex ICB and the north east area of Essex (currently served by Suffolk and North East Essex ICB).
I’m delighted that Robin will be the Chair, bringing his wealth of public sector experience in both the NHS and local government to benefit patients in the area, and our wider region.
His appointment will play a pivotal role in helping us deliver the bold and ambitious 10 Year Health Plan here in the East of England.”
Clare Panniker, Regional Director for NHS England in the East of England