NHS Supply Chain appoints new commercial executive director

NHS Supply Chain today announced the appointment of Richard Evans as its new commercial executive director.

With 20 years’ experience in procurement and commercial management across the public and private sectors, Mr Evans will lead the continued transformation of commercial capabilities at NHS Supply Chain. NHS Supply Chain manages the sourcing, delivery and supply of healthcare products, services and food for NHS trusts and healthcare organisations across England and Wales.

Mr Evans will oversee the 500 strong commercial function of the organisation, with a focus on standardisation and simplification to create value and deliver optimal supply chain solutions for patient care. Following significant change over the past 18 months where more than 450 colleagues from eight outsourced procurement teams were brought in house, Mr Evans will oversee the continued evolution of NHS Supply Chain’s operating practices to reduce complexity, grow capabilities and employ best practices across the commercial directorate.

He joins NHS Supply Chain from an executive leadership role at global procurement and supply chain consultancy Proxima and has worked across sectors including retail, financial services, manufacturing and pharmaceuticals, covering value delivery, supply chain assurance and both cost and operating model transformation.

NHS Supply Chain’s chief executive Andrew New welcomed Mr Evans and said his appointment would be crucial in delivering NHS Supply Chain’s ambitions including embedding commercial excellence, driving savings and realising value based procurement.

“I’m delighted to welcome Richard to our executive team. His role is key to supporting the delivery of our ambitious strategy of growth and savings delivery, as we align to the changing needs of the NHS.”

Mr Evans said: “It is fantastic to join NHS Supply Chain at such an important time of change. I am excited and look forward to working with colleagues to transform NHS Supply Chain’s commercial capabilities and support the NHS and its patients by simplifying what is a complex healthcare supply chain.”

Mr New also recognised outgoing interim commercial executive director Bilal Shaykh, who has filled the role since October 2023.

“Bilal has successfully led the commercial function through a period of extraordinary change, and I thank him for his contribution over that period,” Mr New said.

Mr Evans will commence in his role on 29 April.