Ian Carruthers

Sir Ian James Carruthers is a British healthcare and academic administrator who was senior director for the National Health Service (NHS). Having first joined the NHS in 1969 as an administrator at Garlands Hospital, Carlisle, he rose through a career which included six months as the interim Chief Executive of the NHS in England during 2006. He has been the Chancellor of the University of the West of England since 2011.

Early life Carruthers grew up in a council house in Carlisle. He was a keen sportsman who won county caps for Cumbria in rugby union, cricket and soccer in his school days. He was offered a playing contract by Carlisle United football club but turned it down at the insistence of his father.

Interim chief executive of NHS England On 7 March 2006 he took over as acting NHS chief executive, following the departure of Sir Nigel Crisp. He held this position until September that year, being succeeded by David Nicholson.

He has published several papers on reviewing and improving the NHS and he co-chaired the Prime Minister's Challenge on Dementia.

Carruthers served on the Department of Health Financial Strategy Steering Group and on the Strategic Health Authorities Chief Executives Reference Group on Delivering Race Equality in Mental Health. He chairs the public service consultancy 2020 Delivery.

Chancellor of the University of the West of England In May 2011 it was announced that Carruthers would be taking up the position of Chancellor of the University of the West of England. He was installed as Chancellor in a ceremony on 18 July.

Publications Carruthers is visiting senior fellow of the Health Services Management Centre at the University of Birmingham, where his published papers include: Improving HImPs: the Early Lessons (ref RR35; I Carruthers, J Shapiro, T Knight) Purchasing in the NHS: The Story so far (1995, ref DP34) (I Carruthers, D Fillingham, C Ham, J James) Doctors in Unit Management (ref HS16, I Carruthers, G Page, D White) Options for strengthening Unit management. The implications for personnel, financial and functional management, planning, monitoring and communications (1982; ref HS13) (I Carruthers, C Fewtrell, D White) Reviewing the strength of Unit nursing management: An audit approach (1981; ref HS12)

Honours Carruthers received an OBE in 1997, and a knighthood in the 2003 New Year Honours for services to the NHS. In 2009 he received an honorary degree of Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) from the University of the West of England. He was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws (LL.D) by the University of Bristol in July 2011.

Memberships and fellowships

Country Date Organisation Position Faculty of Public Health at the Royal College of Physicians Honorary Fellow

Personal life Carruthers is married with a son and daughter. He supports both Southampton Football Club and Somerset County Cricket Club.