ICSs – one year on!

Liz Jones is the Policy Director of the National Care Forum, joining the organisation in May 2019. Liz has a strong background in social policy, care and support and health and housing , with over 20 years’ experience across the civil service, local government and the charity sector including Methodist Homes (MHA), Nottingham City Council and Manchester City Council. Liz has strong research and analytical skills, along with consultation/engagement skills, and brings with her a passion for ensuring that the voices and views of the people and communities we serve are central to our policy development and implementation.

Nathan joined NCF in October 2019 having previously worked for Coventry City Council as part of the Local Government Association’s National Graduate Development Programme. He has worked in several areas of local government, including the implementation of the Homelessness Reduction Act, children’s social care and the promotion of new technology and digital ways of working. Between 2014 and 2016 he volunteered, and then worked, for a charity supporting rough sleepers and ex-offenders in Oxford.

Jason Yiannikkou is the Director of System, Integration and Reform in the Department of Health and Social Care. Jason has worked in the Department since 2001 in a number of roles including Ministerial private secretary, Deputy Director for Safety and Quality and head of Acute Care and Provider Policy. In his current role, Jason’s team is responsible for the forthcoming legislation and for a number of policy areas linked to it including Integrated Care Systems.

Dr Rima Makarem took up the role of Chair of Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes ICB in June 2020. She has built up a broad non-executive track record over recent years, including significant work locally, regionally, and nationally in the health and care sector. Rima is no stranger to NHS restructure, having been the audit chair at NHS London during the 2012 reforms, overseeing the closure of the Strategic Health Authority and the 32 London Primary Care Trusts and the transfer of services to the then newly formed Clinical Commissioning Groups and NHS England. Rima initially trained as a scientist before going on to hold senior roles within management consultancy and the global pharmaceutical sector. Other roles in her current portfolio include Chair of the national palliative care and bereavement charity, Sue Ryder; Lay Council member on the General Pharmaceutical Council; and Chair of Queen Square Enterprises Ltd. Rima was also until recently the Senior Independent Director & Audit Chair of NICE as well as the Audit Chair and an External Commissioner at the House of Commons Commission, working closely with the Speaker and the Leader of the House