2 October 2007

Royal Society of Medicine announces new Chief Executive

The Royal Society of Medicine has appointed Ian Balmer, currently Chief Executive Officer at Moorfields Eye Hospital, as Chief Executive.

Ian, who will take up the post in the New Year, has been Chief Executive at Moorfields since 1992 and has a wealth of experience in both private sector and NHS general management. He took Moorfields to first-wave Foundation Trust status in 2004 and has since expanded the Trust’s services to patients in 11 sites across London – as well as at a new facility in Dubai. The Trust was recently awarded biomedical research status by the Department of Health.

Ian also led a fundraising campaign, which has so far produced £15.5 million, to build the recently-opened International Children’s Hospital on the Moorfields site. He is currently Chairman of the European Eye Hospital Association and Treasurer of the World Eye Hospital Association.

Baroness Ilora Finlay, President of the RSM, said “Ian has an excellent track record as CEO of Moorfields Foundation Trust.  He brings to the RSM his experience of enterprising developments with clinicians and an awareness of their needs.  The RSM has functioned well in recent months - which is a great credit to the executive team.  But rather like an orchestra they need a conductor to take them on to the next adventurous pieces, rather than just continue to do what they did well.  We all look forward to Ian's leadership as the RSM evolves to meet the needs of its members.”

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