Sir Ciarán, who is chair of the Health Service Executive (HSE) in Ireland, will be the first chief executive of the new membership body, which will represent frontline NHS organisations across the healthcare system in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

At the HSE, where he has been chair since 2019, he is responsible for more than 150,000 healthcare professionals across hospitals, community healthcare, social care, disability services, mental healthcare, ambulances, and support staff.

Sir Ciarán has been executive director of the Centre for Peace and Security at Coventry University since 2021, chief executive of the British Council (2015-20) and chief executive at Macmillan Cancer Support (2007-14), for which he received a knighthood in 2015 for services to cancer patients.

Additionally, Sir Ciarán served on NHS England's board as a non-executive director from 2012 to 2015.

Lord Victor Adebowale, chair of the joint board between NHS Providers and the NHS Confederation, said: ‘Sir Ciarán's experience across the public and voluntary sectors, and his deep understanding of NHS organisations, make him a strong leader to steer our new organisation during a critical period for the NHS.

‘On behalf of our joint board, I would also like to thank both Daniel Elkeles and Matthew Taylor for their exceptional leadership across NHS Providers and NHS Confederation in getting us to this point. Without their leadership, we would not be bringing our two organisations together for the benefit of our respective members and partners.'

Professor Sir Terence Stephenson, vice-chair of the joint board between NHS Providers and the NHS Confederation, added: 'Our members sought a unified and influential voice for the NHS and Sir Ciarán's appointment marks a pivotal step in realising that ambition.'

Sir Ciarán Devane said: ‘By bringing together the strengths of both organisations, we can create a single, powerful voice that supports NHS leaders and staff, helps them to improve their services and ultimately to improve care for local communities.

‘I look forward to working with our members, partners, stakeholders and staff across England, Wales and Northern Ireland in achieving this vision.'

The NHS Confederation and NHS Providers confirmed their plans to merge in October 2025, following significant engagement with their members, spanning NHS trusts, integrated care boards, primary care providers, and voluntary sector providers.

The legal merger concluded on 13 January, and the new membership body will launch in April. Its name and branding will be revealed soon. As this work continues, both organisations will maintain their current names and branding before the new membership offer is launched in April.

Daniel Elkeles, chief executive of NHS Providers, is stepping down from his post next week.

Elkeles said: ‘I've really enjoyed my time at NHS Providers and I'm incredibly proud of everything we've achieved since I joined in May 2025.

'The NHS needs a single representative body to advocate nationally on its behalf and merging NHS Providers and the NHS Confederation was the right thing to do. The new organisation will make an even bigger impact for members and the NHS, and while I am understandably sad that I will not be leading it, I wish Ciarán every success in his new role.'

Matthew Taylor will act as interim chief executive of the merged organisation until the end of March. He plans to step down at the end of March 2026 to become the chair of the government's Fair Work Agency.