Comment / Changes at the top table

I was shocked the first week of March to hear that Richard Douglas, director general of finance at the Department of Health, had announced he was retiring – and then the very next day David Flory announced his decision to step down as chief executive of the NHS Trust Development Authority.

 I had heard whispers about both, but announcements still take you by surprise. It’s all the more astonishing as these two men have been responsible in one way or another for NHS finance for the past 15 or so years – all but six months in my tenure in this job. Their leadership and abilities will be sorely missed by the whole NHS, not just the finance function.

Of course the first thing I have to say is congratulations to them both. I hope they enjoy whatever they decide to do, be it full-on retirement or new roles or challenges. Few of us will ever be exposed to the almost impossible demands of our political masters or the white heat of our select committee system. 

One thing we can be sure of is that they have championed the service and the improvement of services for patients. We have been through difficult financial times, but they have always listened to concerns and ensured those are conveyed and heard within government. They have had to deliver difficult messages at times (up and down), but have done so in a level-headed way and acted with dignity at all times.

I first met Richard in May 2001 at a time when relations between the centre and the association were at a low ebb. Just before that, in 1999, we had clashed with the Department after highlighting concerns with the financial position. We knew we needed to maintain our ability to highlight concerns but re-establish a constructive relationship – and Richard was instrumental in facilitating this.

He recognised the value of the association and pointed us in the direction of many an opportunity on the policy side where we could contribute – one example being with the development of finance-specific job profiles as part of the agenda for change pay system. There’s no doubt he helped us develop and grow.

David was Richard’s successor at the Department of Health in the NHS-facing role, when Richard took on the broader Departmental finances. It is fair to say we were all a bit intimidated by him at first. He came with a reputation as a tough operator and, at first, our dealings were a little nervous and formal. 

But even in my first meeting with David, I can clearly remember the number of people passing through who stopped to shake him warmly by the hand. Like Richard, David is well liked, with a great sense of humour and respected by all who deal with him. I knew if we did a good job we would be okay. And we were (are).

We welcome Richard’s successor at the Department, David Williams, former director general of finance at the Ministry of Defence, and hope we can establish a similarly constructive relationship.