Our governance
Details of framework agreement, leadership structure and advisory board information.
Framework agreement
The Framework agreement between the Department of Health and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) sets out UKHSA’s overarching governance arrangements.
UKHSA Advisory Board
The UKHSA Advisory Board meets at least quarterly and meetings are held in public. Led by the Chair, it is responsible for providing strategic advice on the running of UKHSA, assuring the effectiveness of UKHSA’s corporate governance arrangements, and for advising the Chief Executive on:
- the development of UKHSA’s corporate plan and annual business plan
- UKHSA’s financial and performance objectives, and progress on meeting those objectives
- management performance and effective leadership of UKHSA within a framework of prudent and effective controls which enables risk to be assessed and managed
- issues and policies, both within the public health system and from other government departments, which could impact on the strategic direction of UKHSA
The UKHSA Advisory Board has established the following committees:
Audit and Risk Committee (ARC)
ARC, chaired by non-executive member Cindy Rampersaud, provides an important oversight role including areas of risk management, corporate governance, quality of financial reporting and assurance arrangements for UKHSA.
People and Culture Committee
This committee is chaired by non-executive member Sir Gordon Messenger, and provides advice on people-related processes to help UKHSA achieve its goals, including talent management, capability building, and incentives and rewards.
Science and Research Committee
This committee is chaired by non-executive member Jon Friedland, and advises on the strategic aspects of UKHSA’s scientific work such as the implementation of the science strategy and ensuring science and research have the greatest impacts on health outcomes.
Equalities, Ethics and Communities Committee
This committee is chaired by non-executive member Graham Hart, and gives advice on UKHSA’s ambition to reduce health inequalities, and on the best approaches to engaging with communities. It also acts as a source of advice for ethical decision-making in the field of health security.
Chief Executive
The Chief Executive, Professor Susan Hopkins, is responsible for the leadership and management of UKHSA and the delivery of its objectives. She is supported by the UKHSA Executive Committee, which meets regularly and provides executive management and governance of the operations and delivery of UKHSA.
Chair
Ian Peters was appointed in April 2021. He has previously held roles as Chair of Barts Health NHS Trust, Chief Executive of British Gas and Managing Director of NatWest Small Business Services.
Non-executive UKHSA Advisory Board members
- Jon Friedland – Vice-President (Research and Innovation), City St. George’s, University of London, Jon is a clinically trained infectious diseases academic with previous experience on JCVI and with the MHRA including as Vice-Chair on the Commission for Human Medicines
- Graham Hart – a social and behavioural scientist with expertise in sexual health and HIV
- Mark Lloyd – former council and Local Government Association CEO, experienced in integrating national, regional and local services to deliver better outcomes for communities and residents
- Sir Gordon Messenger – ex-Vice Chief of Defence Staff with experience in contingency planning, crisis management and leadership
- Cindy Rampersaud – non-executive director at Sage Homes, a board member at consumer group Which? and was previously on the boards of the London Film School and Hipgnosis where she chaired ARC
- Stuart Dollow - Founder, Vermilion Life Sciences and a registered physician with extensive experience in medicines development in the pharmaceutical industry. Previous roles with DHSC as Chair of the Advisory Committee for Clinical Impact Awards, and as a Board member of the Human Tissue Authority, as well as a Trustee for the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine.
Associate non-executive UKHSA Advisory Board members
- Dame Marie Gabriel – current Integrated Care System Chair; previous non-executive experience in acute, mental health and commissioning
- Raj Long – professional career in medicines and vaccines development, regulation, and access in private and public health, including supporting the WHO and a non-executive director of the MHRA Board
- Sarah Jensen – Chief Information Officer at Barts Health NHS Trust with previous experience in financial services at Fortune 500 companies in the United States before moving into the global space
Executive UKHSA Advisory Board members
- Susan Hopkins – Chief Executive
- Steven Riley – Chief Data Officer
- Dyfed Alsop – Chief Operating Officer
- Shona Arora - interim Chief Medical Adviser
- Robin May - interim Chief Scientific Officer
- Luke Heath – Director, Finance, Performance, Risk and Assurance
UKHSA Advisory Board register of interests
The UKHSA Advisory Board register of interests sets out those interests held by Advisory Board members outside of the agency.
Operation of Board meetings
The approach to UKHSA Board meetings will be changing to reflect the maturity of the agency in a post-pandemic setting. The Board will continue a regular meeting cycle shifting to 5 closed meetings. These arrangements will ensure UKHSA draws on the frank advice of its Board members effectively to meet the needs of the agency. The membership of the board will stay the same, with standing invitations to the 4 Chief Medical Officers and DHSC.
One public meeting will be held each year to review the prior year activity, the Annual Report and Accounts and to take public questions, ensuring UKSHA remains committed to transparency on its operations and best practice of arm’s length bodies. The first of those public meetings will likely be in January 2027. All these changes will be reflected in the updated Framework Document which will be published in due course.
Any questions regarding these changes should be directed initially to Enquiries@ukhsa.gov.uk
Meeting papers
The agenda and papers for the UKHSA Advisory Board meetings in public will be available here prior to meetings: