Coulbeck joins from North East London ICB, where he is working as chief strategy officer, and continues to hold a non executive role at Princess Alexandra Hospital.

The NHS Alliance chief executive, Sir Ciarán Devane, said: ‘We look forward to welcoming Ralph to lead our ICB Network and to join our executive group at the NHS Alliance. As a chief strategy lead within an ICB he is well placed to support our ICB members as they establish themselves as strategic commissioners and his guidance and ideas will strengthen our network for the future.'

Coulbeck's career background includes chief executive roles at Haven House Children's Hospice and Whipps Cross Hospital, alongside national strategy leadership at the NHS Trust Development Authority and the NHS chief executive's office. 

ICB Network chair, Kathy McLean, said: ‘I am delighted that Ralph will soon be joining the Network. He brings depth and breadth of experience from across the health sector and I am excited to see the direction he will take the network going forward.'

Ralph will be undertaking some work with the Alliance from the autumn before taking up the role fully in the new year.