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Appointment of new Chief Executive of Department of Health and Social Care

Thursday, 25 June 2015

Dr Malcolm Couch has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Health and Social Care. 

Currently the Isle of Man Government’s Chief Financial Officer, Dr Couch will take up his new post from Monday 29 June 2015. 

Dr Couch’s transfer to the Department of Health and Social Care has been approved by the Civil Service Commission. Interim arrangements will be put in place at the Treasury while the process of recruiting a replacement Chief Financial Officer is carried out. 

The appointment of Dr Couch, who graduated in medicine from the University of Sheffield in 1988 and also has bachelor and doctorate degrees in medical science, has been welcomed by Minister for Health and Social Care Howard Quayle MHK. 

Minister Quayle said:

‘Malcolm will bring broad experience in both financial management and healthcare services to this post. I look forward to working with him to help deliver high quality and sustainable health and social care services for the Isle of Man community.’ 

He added:

‘The Department has acted swiftly and positively in making this appointment. We are at a critical stage in the development of a new strategy and it is important to have stability and leadership in place as we continue to modernise the Department and its services. Malcolm is a well-known and respected senior officer in Government with a strong track record of financial management and good governance. I have worked closely with him in his Treasury role and I am confident that his professional and inclusive approach will help us to build on the solid progress that has been achieved so far.’ 

Dr Couch was appointed as Chief Financial Officer in April 2013 after serving as the Isle of Man’s Assessor of Income Tax for eight years. He has played a key role in the development of the Island’s international reputation, as well as leading Government’s efforts to rebalance public finances. 

Dr Couch said:

‘This new role will bring many challenges. Everyone in the Department of Health and Social Care wants to give their best, and in doing that they help to make the lives of people in the Isle of Man better. We have many issues which need to be faced and I will not hide from them.’ 

He added:

‘Perhaps my key aim will be to bring together the community, the staff of the Department of Health and Social Care and Tynwald in a shared view of how to address those issues. Working in a national health service again will be like coming home for me, and I am looking forward tremendously to taking up a key role in it.’

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