Director of Provider Policy at the Department of Health.

Bob Ricketts is Director of Provider Policy at the Department of Health, leading national policy on patient choice, competition, standard contracts, provider development (including social enterprise and foundation trusts) and economic regulation.

Bob held senior management positions in the NHS locally and regionally for over 20 years, before moving to policy development in 2002, leading the development and launch of patient choice of provider and enabling greater plurality of provision.

Outside interests include researching, writing and lecturing on local and postal history, gardening and Cairn Terriers.