Rt. Hon Professor the Lord Ajay Kakkar PC appointed Independent Chair

Prof Lord Ajay Kakkar to lead the King’s Health Partners Board to oversee delivery of partnership strategic goals.

Following a robust global search by King’s Health Partners, the Rt. Hon Professor the Lord Ajay Kakkar PC has been appointed as the KHP Board’s new Independent Chair.  

In this role, Lord Kakkar will provide leadership to the KHP Board as it oversees the delivery of King’s Health Partners five-year plan, ‘Delivering better health for all through high impact innovation.’ 

Lord Kakkar joins King’s Health Partners with a wealth of high profile experience in healthcare, having previously served as Professor of Surgery at University College London and Chairman of UCLPartners Academic Health Science Partnership, and is Director of the Thrombosis Research Institute London. He brings with him significant understanding of policy making, national healthcare challenges and the political landscape; he is a Life Peer and sits on the crossbenches of the House of Lords. He is also a member of the Privy Council and is Chairman of the Judicial Appointments Commission, and served as Chairman of the House of Lords Appointments Commission from 2013–2018.  

As Independent Chair, Lord Kakkar will be responsible for overseeing and optimising the governance of King’s Health Partners Board to create an agile system of partnership development and delivery so that innovation may flourish.  

He will shape, influence and articulate the purpose and goals of King’s Health Partners at a regional, national and international level, developing an ambitious strategy to harness the system’s innovation and drive best-in-class partnership working and integrated research capability for the benefit of our patients and population. 

Welcoming the appointment, Prof Richard Trembath, Executive Director, King’s Health Partners said: 

We are thrilled that, following interview, Lord Kakkar has agreed to take up the role as Independent Chair of King’s Health Partners. Lord Kakkar is an experienced visionary who has, for many years, driven improved healthcare outcomes across the country through his expertise, dedication and leadership. The KHP Board and wider team will all benefit from his impressive experience as we continue to offer more for our patients, staff and students through delivery of our five-year plan.

Sir Hugh Taylor, acting Chair of King’s Health Partners, Chair of King’s College Hospital and Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trusts said: 

Lord Kakkar has outstanding credentials for this role. I’m confident that he will help provide the KHP Board with the oversight and leadership it needs to reach even greater heights as a partnership.

Professor Shitij Kapur, President and Principal of King’s College London, added: 

I am very pleased to welcome Lord Kakkar to this new role. Lord Kakkar is internationally respected and a driving force for thrombosis and cardiovascular research. He started his career studying at King’s College London and it is a moment of pride and excitement for our university to welcome back such a distinguished alumnus as a leader in our partnership.  

Lord Kakkar said: 

Research and the adoption of innovation are fundamental for a sustainable and high quality health system. It is a privilege to be joining such a successful partnership so deeply committed to delivering improved care at scale and pace for the benefit of individual patients and the wider population locally, nationally and globally.

Lord Kakkar completed his medical degree from King’s College London and received his PhD from Imperial College London and his clinical interests were as a surgical oncologist and in the management of patients with venous thromboembolic disease. His research interests are in the fields of venous, arterial and cancer associated thrombosis.  

Lord Kakkar will begin his role in September 2021.