The secretary of state for Health and Social Care Wes Streeting has named Professor Sir Mike Richards as his preferred candidate for next chair of the Care Quality Commission. 

Subject to approval by Parliament’s Health and Social Care Select Committee, Richards will take over from the current hair, Ian Dilks, once his appointment ends.

Richards became the CQC’s first chief inspector of hospitals in 2013 and led the development and implementation of a new approach to hospital inspection. He retired from this role at the end of July 2017.

He led two major reviews for NHS England: A review of adult screening services (published 2019) and a review of diagnostic services (published 2020). This recommends a major expansion of diagnostic capacity and a new model of service delivery. He is currently working with NHS England to help implement his report. He is also a trustee of Cancer Research UK. In April 2022 he was appointed as chair of the UK National Screening Committee.

The CQC stated that it welcomes the announcement and will issue a full statement following the Committee’s pre-appointment hearing.

Care England’s chief executive professor Martin Green, said: “Sir Mike Richards is an excellent choice to lead the CQC. He understands the vital role of social care and the need for a regulatory system that supports, rather than stifles, high-quality care. At a time when providers are under immense pressure, we need leadership that listens, engages, and ensures regulation is fair, proportionate, and focused on what truly matters – delivering the best possible care for those who need it. We look forward to working closely with Sir Mike and Sir Julian Hartley to build a system that works for both providers and the people they support.”