THERESA May’s former special adviser for health has been appointed to a position which will help oversee how more than £2 billion is spent on improving health.

James Kent has been appointed chief executive designate of the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West (BOB) Integrated Care Board (ICB), due to be established in April.

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Dr Kent has held the roles of executive lead of the Integrated Care System (ICS) and the accountable officer for the three Clinical Commissioning Groups since May 2020.

He said: “I’m proud to be able to continue the journey I began when appointed to lead the ICS last May.

“Over the last 18 months, I have seen the depth of talent that exists within all system partner organisations and our wider stakeholders and what we can achieve when we work together.

“I am ever more convinced of the potential of this system to improve health and health outcomes for the population we serve.”

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The ICB is part of new arrangements to improve health and reduce health inequalities.

The ICB will hold a budget of more than £2.7 billion from April 2022 to 2023, for a population of about 1.8 million people.

ICB chief executive roles are being appointed as part of preparation for the Health and Care Bill 2021 gaining Royal Assent.