Gareth Thomas

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT GARETH THOMAS

As Deputy National Chief Clinical Information Officer (CCIO), I lead complex, boundary-less programmes with high political visibility, working with senior stakeholders up to ministerial level. I hold accountability for programme delivery in a diffuse matrix environment across a range of care settings and stakeholders. I am flexible in my approach, and I am accustomed to rapid shifts in the operating environment and hence in programme focus. Alongside measurable operational delivery, I bring clinical digital leadership to the development of national policy and strategic roadmaps. I act in a translational role to lead systems liaison with frontline providers, working across multidisciplinary clinical, digital, and executive teams. I have received national peer recognition as a thought leader in digital service transformation and clinical informatics. In addition to my national roles, I also have leadership experience at local organisation level. As Clinical Director at Salford Royal I formed a unified Critical Care Directorate, one of the largest services in the country. I built significant capability in Quality Improvement and led a wide portfolio of measurable service improvement initiatives. I am committed to my own personal development and have sought novel leadership development opportunities throughout my career. I inspire others to pursue leadership positions through direct mentorship, and via national workforce development initiatives. I act as a champion for equality, diversity, and inclusion, providing allyship and shadowing opportunities to the Shuri Network for women of colour in digital careers. I have an active interest in clinical leadership and quality improvement for patient benefit, and have an MSc Medical Leadership with Distinction from the University of London. My original MSc research dissertation explored the psychological concept of “hybrid identity” demonstrated by clinicians who work within leadership roles. I have completed the UK Cabinet Office Major Programmes Leadership Academy (MPLA) at the University of Oxford Said Business School. In addition to my national leadership roles, I maintain regular clinical practice as a Consultant in Intensive Care Medicine and Anaesthesia at Salford Royal Hospital. Greater Manchester. Outside of the NHS, I am a Director of Gareth Thomas Consulting, and provide independent clinical and non-clinical services.