NHS Greater Manchester chief executive Mark Fisher suspended

The chief executive of the NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board, Mark Fisher CBE, is currently suspended “on a precautionary basis”, officials say.

An internal investigation is taking place in relation to the suspension, but NHS GM says that no findings have been made “at this stage” and that it cannot comment further at this time.

An NHS Greater Manchester spokesperson said: “We can confirm that Chief Executive, Mark Fisher, is currently suspended on a precautionary basis whilst an internal process takes place in accordance with our whistleblowing, HR and governance frameworks.

“Given no findings have been made at this stage, it is essential that no assumptions are drawn. Due to confidentiality and fairness to all parties, we are unable to comment further at this time.”

It is understood that interim leadership arrangements are in place, with deputy chief executive Colin Scales providing cover.

Mr Fisher had been due to retire at the end of March next year after 42 years of full-time public service.

He was appointed Chief Executive of NHS Greater Manchester when it was established in July 2022.

His retirement was announced in September.

Mr Fisher’s career spans senior roles across government and the civil service, including Director General in the Cabinet Office, Director of the Office for Civil Society, and Secretary to the Grenfell Tower Public Inquiry, before taking on the role as Chief Executive for NHS Greater Manchester.

He was awarded a CBE in 2010 for services to public life.

Speaking in September, Mr Fisher described his tenure as NHS GM’s Chief Executive as one of his “great privileges”.

He said: “My career has taken me through many corners of public life, and I’ve had the honour of working alongside inspiring people in roles focused on employment, social action, youth policy, and civil society.

“But it is here, in Greater Manchester, that I have felt most at home. It has been one of the great privileges of my life to serve as Chief Executive of NHS Greater Manchester. The spirit of this place – its people, its purpose, and its passion for doing things differently – has made this role unlike any other.”