It has been a privilege to work with ARC South London and I’m honoured to accept the role of Director. In my experience, the best way to produce innovative research that makes a difference to patients and population is through strong, compassionate leadership, clearly articulated vision and shared purpose. It is this experience and these values that I would like to bring to the leadership of ARC South London.
Professor Ingrid Wolfe
04 March 2024
ARC South London appoints Professor Ingrid Wolfe as new Director
Professor Wolfe will take over leadership of the organisation in April 2024, following the retirement of current Director Professor Sir Graham Thornicroft
Congratulations to Professor Ingrid Wolfe, who has been appointed as the next Director of NIHR ARC South London. Professor Wolfe will take over leadership of the organisation in April 2024, following the retirement of current Director Professor Sir Graham Thornicroft at the end of March 2024.
Professor Wolfe is professor in paediatrics and child health and Interim Head of the Department of Women & Children’s Health in the School of Life Course and Population Sciences. Alongside this academic role, she is a practicing consultant in paediatric population health, at Evelina London Children’s Hospital, within Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. Professor Wolfe is also the Director for the Institute of Women and Children’s Health at King’s Health Partners.
The NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) South London is part of the NIHR and hosted by King's College Hospital in partnership with King's College London. ARC South London is a research organisation that brings together researchers, health and social care practitioners, and local people to improve health and social care in South London.
ARC South London’s applied research is designed to solve practical problems faced by local health and social care services, alongside the aim to help local NHS and social care services offer excellent care, based on sound evidence. They also provide a range of training to develop the skills needed to put research evidence into practice.
Professor Wolfe has a long-standing relationship with the ARC South London, where she leads the children and young people research theme. Within this ARC theme, Professor Wolfe has led the implementation and evaluation of a new programme that is improving the way health care is delivered for the 128,000 children and young people living in Southwark and Lambeth. Professor Wolfe also works closely with the ARC’s clinical and community partners, including the South-East London Integrated Care System and the Health Innovation Network South London.
I am delighted that Professor Wolfe will be taking up the role of Director of NIHR ARC South London. She has an exceptional track record in applied health research and collaborative leadership. I believe that she will be able to draw on this experience to further develop the positive impact of the ARC and to influence the practice and delivery of health and care
Dr Leonie Penna, chief medical officer, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, and co-chair of the ARC Board
Ingrid has an excellent understanding of the local health and care environment, and a track record of engaging successfully with clinical, managerial, public health, patient, service user and public groups. This is exemplified by her work on the Children and Young People’s Health Partnership, which has changed the way children’s healthcare is delivered in Lambeth and Southwark. She is particularly focused on the inclusive practice and delivery of health and care that recognises the wider determinants and addresses health inequalities, key priorities for ARC South London
Zoë Lelliot, deputy co-lead, ARC South London, and director of King's Improvement Science
It has been a great privilege to lead the NIHR ARC South London since 2019 (and before that CLAHRC South London). Through our commitment to collaboration that crosses academic and organisational boundaries, I believe that we have made tangible impacts on people's lives locally, nationally and internationally. I am delighted that Professor Ingrid Wolfe will be taking forward this work when I step down. She is an exceptional leader and collaborator across health and care systems. I wish her all the very best
Professor Sir Graham Thornicroft, outgoing ARC South London Director
In this story
Professor of Paediatrics and Child Population Health