John Barwick has been appointed as the new chief executive of the regulator, the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Barwick took over as interim CEO after the departure of Marc Seale six months ago.
The appointment was ratified by the organisation’s Council today. Its Chair, Christine Elliott said,
“We were overwhelmed with excellent candidates for the post of chief executive. John’s passion, leadership and vision shone through, and he was compelling in his strategy for the future direction of our organisation. As regulators, we are also advisers to more than a quarter of a million health and care practitioners. John’s experience in this field will be instrumental in taking the HCPC forward in innovative and inspirational ways.”
Barwick joined the HCPC eight years ago, starting as a case team manager before rising to executive director of regulation for the council. He was also head of information and investigations for Ofqual, which regulates qualifications and tests in England. John said,
“I am incredibly humbled and proud to be leading such brilliant and talented colleagues. This is a pivotal role in a pivotal organisation."
"I am under no illusion that we’re at the forefront of protecting people. There has never been a more important time, with what is happening with coronavirus for example, for making sure that we provide excellence in everything we do. One of the ways we can do this is to make sure that our wonderful and selfless health and care professionals are supported and allowed every opportunity to treat those they see every day.”
The HCPC currently regulates 15 health and care professions, including radiographers, paramedics, physiotherapists and dieticians.