Wes Streeting, the secretary of state for health and social care, has invited the Health and Social Care Committee to hold a pre-appointment scrutiny hearing with Dash.

Dash is the chair of the NHS North-West London ICB and is currently leading a major review into the regulation of quality of health and social care in England. A former NHS doctor, Dash was senior partner and co-lead of the Global Healthcare Systems and Services Practice within McKinsey and Company, with a focus on Europe. She was also head of strategy for the DHSC.

The committee will set out its views on Dash's suitability for the role and Streeting will then consider the committee's report before making a final decision on the appointment.

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Lord Victor Adebowale, chair of the NHS Confederation, said: ‘Penny's experience across public health, medicine, healthcare management and as chair of an integrated care board that serves a diverse population of over two million people, would make her an exceptional appointment to steer the NHS through its many challenges and to rebuild the health service.

‘It would be incredibly exciting to see one of our most dynamic and ambitious ICB chairs take on this role and to support the NHS to further embrace the potential of system-working. This would serve NHS England well as it embarks on its restructuring while continuing to develop the Ten Year Health Plan.'

Interim chief executive of NHS Providers Saffron Cordery said: ‘Trust leaders across the acute, mental health, community and ambulance sector will welcome this announcement given Penny's extensive experience of both delivering and running health services.

‘Her insight and expertise will prove invaluable at a critical moment for the NHS with the Ten-Year Health Plan underway and spending review fast approaching.'