Following an announcement today by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) we can confirm that Kay Boycott, Alex Kafetz, Michael Mire, Ruth Owen, Melanie Williams and Richard Barker have been appointed as members of the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC's) board.
The new board members bring a wealth of experience from a range of sectors and, alongside the new Chief Inspectors, will play a key role in CQC's work to rebuild.
Kay Boycott is currently Senior Independent Director of the Medical Research Council and Board member for English Heritage, and has previously been a non-executive director for a number of NHS organisations. Kay has additionally been appointed as Chair of the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee (ARAC) of CQC.
Alex Kafetz was previously director of international projects at Beamtree as well as head of strategy at Dr Foster intelligence and a member of the National Information Board. He is currently a non-executive director at the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority.
Michael Mire, was previously a non-executive director at CQC and DHSC, as well as Aviva and Lazard. He is a former Chair of the HM Land Registry.
Ruth Owen OBE, is currently Chief Executive at Leonard Cheshire and has specific technology, social care and third sector background.
Melanie Williams is a Director of Adult Social Services (DASS) in Nottinghamshire and a non-executive director on the Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Board. She was until recently President of ADASS and has previously been a mental health commissioner.
We have also appointed Richard Barker CBE as associate non-executive Director. Richard retired as Regional Director of NHS England (North) in 2024 and is on the governing body of University of Sunderland. He has recently been appointed to lead the transformation of DHSC and NHSE. He will become a full non-executive director when this role has been completed.
Chair of CQC Sir Mike Richards said: "The wealth of experience these board members bring will be a huge asset to CQC as we continue our work to rebuild. This new board, alongside our new Chief Inspectors, will allow us to drive the necessary improvements to be the effective regulator the public and providers need.
"CQC is at a critical time, and our board will be central in holding the organisation to account to ensure we make the changes needed.
"Thank you also to our departing board for all their work."
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You can find out more on DHSC's guidance page about their Appointments made April 2025 to March 2026.
You can also read more about Our Board on this website.