Duncan Selbie has worked in the NHS and the Department of Health since 1980. From 2007 to 2012 he was Chief Executive at Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals. Prior to this he worked for four years as a Director General at the Department of Health.

Previous Chief Executive roles in the NHS include the South East London Strategic Health Authority and the South West London and St. Georges Mental Health NHS Trust. He served on the NHS Future Forum and contributed specifically to the Education and Training Working Group.