The new Board-level role will lead the Trust’s digital transformation, data and technology agenda, helping CLCH improve patient care and staff experience.
The appointment was made following a formal and open recruitment process led by the CLCH Board.
James brings extensive experience across health, life sciences, and telecommunications. He was previously Chief Information Officer at the Francis Crick Institute, where he built one of the UK’s largest research supercomputing facilities. He has previously held leadership roles at BT and was responsible for the digital transformation of the UK’s full fibre broadband programme.
At CLCH, James will lead the delivery of the Trust’s digital strategy. His priorities will include using data to support proactive care, improving digital tools for patients and staff, and safely adopting technologies such as artificial intelligence and automation.
The role will also support CLCH’s work to deliver more care closer to home and strengthen integrated neighbourhood teams, in line with the NHS’s shift from hospital to community and from analogue to digital services.
James Fleming said: “I am delighted to be joining CLCH at such an exciting time. Community healthcare has a vital role to play in delivering the 10-Year Health Plan, and digital technology will be central to helping the Trust deliver more personalised, joined-up and proactive care. My focus will be on ensuring that digital technology makes life easier for patients and staff, supports our neighbourhood-based approach to care, and allows us to use data to improve outcomes for the communities we serve.”
James Benson, Chief Executive Officer at Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust, said:
“I am delighted that James has been appointed as our Chief Digital Officer. He brings a wealth of experience across a range of sectors and will play a crucial role in shaping the future of neighbourhood health through digital innovation, data-driven insight and compassionate care.”
Mark Friend, Chair-in-Common of CLCH, said: “Digital is fundamental to our ambition for CLCH — not simply to make our services more interoperable and efficient, but to transform how we deliver care and improve outcomes for the communities we serve. James’s appointment is an important step in developing an ambitious, joined-up approach to digital, working closely with our partners in the Collaborative and in neighbourhoods.”
James will join the CLCH Board in November.
