Ed Smith will retire from his role as chair of NHS Improvement this summer.

He has held the role since July 2015 when he was appointed to oversee the creation of the organisation in his capacity as chair of Monitor and the NHS Trust Development Authority, both of which were incorporated into NHS Improvement. 

Smith was previously non-executive director and deputy chairman of NHS England from November 2011 until September 2015.

His term had been due to expire on 31 July 2018, but he decided to step down now to allow his successor to be appointed in time to lead the search for a new chief executive, replacing Jim Mackey.

Mackey was appointed by Smith to the post in November 2015 on a two-year secondment to NHS Improvement.

Smith said: “I am proud that, together with an outstanding chief executive, we have been able to get NHS Improvement up and running and delivering real positive change for the patients who rely on the NHS.

Philip Dunne MP, minister of state at the department of health commented: “As chair, Ed Smith has overseen the establishment of NHS Improvement which has already driven countless improvements in care for patients across the NHS.”

NHS Improvement was officially launched on 1 April 2016.