NHS Property Services has announced Nick Moberly as its new chairman and Ian Playford as non-executive director following a recruitmment and approval process.

Following a competitive appointment process and approval from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), Moberly steps into the role of chairman, taking over from interim chair, Caroline Wehrle, who has acted as caretaker chair for the past few months after former chairman, Jane Hamilton, returned to her native Australia earlier this year.

Moberly has been a non-executive director (NED) board member of NHSPS since 2021, helping to develop the organisation’s strategy and currently chairs the customer and remuneration committees.

He combines this role with being the chief executive officer (CEO) at the MS Society.

Moberly has a wealth of experience within the NHS, previously as chief executive at King’s College Hospital and Royal Surrey Hospital NHS foundation trusts, and currently serves on the board at Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care System.

He will work closely with DHSC to steer the direction of NHSPS, collaborating with customers, Integrated Care Systems, and local authorities as the NHS estate evolves to ensure healthcare facilities meet the needs of the future.

Key areas of focus will remain supporting ICSs with their estate strategies, improving utilisation, and creating healthy places.

He said: “After working closely with NHSPS over the last three years I am very much looking forward to this new challenge.

“As a board we are committed to helping the executive team deliver on the new strategy and have a vast array of experience and expertise to help support the organisation through the next phase of its life.

“We also have a new, ambitious Government, committed to creating an NHS fit for the future and we are well positioned to help support them deliver on this ambition.”

Playford also joins NHSPS as a non-executive director, bringing extensive experience of the property and health sectors.

Currently chair of Kingsbridge Estates Ltd and board advisor to Ashfield Land, he has held roles as group property director for Kingfisher Plc; Parkridge Holdings; King Sturge (now JLL); and Aviva.

He also brings significant Government and health sector experience having been responsible for setting up the Government Property Agency and NED roles at Queen Victoria Hospital Trust, East Grinstead, and Guys and St Thomas’s Foundation Trust.

He said: “I’m very pleased to be joining NHSPS and look forward to helping shape the next exciting phase for the business.

“We will continue to support the wider NHS by helping customers reduce costs, optimise their estate, and access funding more effectively, unlocking value and helping to deliver excellent patient care.”

Martin Steele, chief executive of NHSPS, added: “We are delighted to welcome Nick and Ian in these vital roles, to help guide and support us as we continue to deliver against our new strategy.

“Nick’s knowledge and experience will be integral in our continued efforts to support the NHS in getting the most from its estate, and Ian also brings significant levels of understanding and involvement from across the health and property sectors which will inevitably benefit us as an organisation.”