New Non-Executive Director and Trustee of Skills for Health appointed

Jon Restell, Chief Executive of specialist health and care union Managers in Partnership (MiP), has been appointed as a Trustee and Non-Executive Director of the board at the Sector Skills Council for Health (@SkillsforHealth).

As a not-for-profit organisation committed to the development of an improved and sustainable healthcare workforce across the UK, Skills for Health is delighted to welcome Jon onto its diverse board of members, formed of a broad spectrum of public sector leaders, who come together to inform, agree and lead the organisational strategy.

As MiP’s first employee when the organisation was founded in 2005, and through extensive engagement with staff, employers, ministers, civil servants and other policy makers, at both a local and national level, Jon holds a thorough understanding of workforce concerns on many issues that affect the NHS and wider health and care workforce.

Taking a special interest in leadership development, Jon said of his new role with Skills for Health: “Developing people is a cause dear to my heart, particularly those who have had fewer opportunities in life. Joining the Skills for Health board allows me to further this cause and I hope I can bring useful experience and perspectives. I can’t wait to get stuck in.”

Throughout his career, Jon has developed particular expertise in working to improve workplace culture and diversity, especially in building resilience among union members. Having tutored leadership programmes for middle managers, with a particular focus on the value of good line management he said: “No one should begin and end their working lives with the same skills. If we are to recover from the pandemic successfully and build back better for everyone, then skills development is a must, and organisations like Skills for Health have a key part to play.”

Welcoming Jon to the board, Chief Executive at Skills for Health John Rogers said: “We are delighted Jon has joined us at this pivotal time for the sector. Whilst tackling the ongoing effects of the pandemic remains the utmost priority, with the recent appointment of both a new Secretary of State for Health and a new NHS CEO, alongside the Health and Care Bill moving through, Jon’s insight into the impact of so much change on the future of the workforce will be invaluable.

“Together, with our shared commitment to improving health and care across the UK and building back better, underpinned by Jon’s thorough understanding of leadership development barriers and enablers at both a local and national level, we can ensure we continue to shape our integrated solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and our communities well into the future.”