Simon Stevens is chief executive of NHS England, which leads the NHS’s work nationally to improve health and ensure high quality care for all. Simon took up post as NHS England CEO on 1 April 2014, following an open worldwide competitive appointment process led bythe independent board of NHS England. He is accountable to Parliament for over £100 billion of annual Health Service funding. Simon joined the NHS through its Graduate Training Scheme in 1988. As a frontline NHS manager he subsequently led acute hospitals, mental health and community services, primary care and health commissioning in the North East of England, London and the South Coast. He also served seven years as the Prime Minister’s health adviser at 10 Downing Street, and as policy adviser to successive Health Secretaries at the Department of Health. Alongside his 16 years work for the NHS and UK public service, Simon spent a decade working internationally at UnitedHealth Group, including as its Medicare chief executive and as president of its global health division, leading health services in the United States, Europe, Brazil, India, China, Africa, and the Middle East. He has also been a trustee of the Kings Fund and the Nuffield Trust, visiting professor at the London School of Economics, and an elected local councillor for Brixton in South London.