From supermarket to social care: new workforce head at Department of Health

A top Tesco executive is to become the Department of Health’s new director general of workforce for social care and the NHS.

Clare Chapman, who is currently Tesco’s group personnel director, will take up the new role in early 2007, health secretary Patricia Hewitt announced today.

Chapman, who has more than 20 years’ experience in human resources, said social care and health had “unique” values.

Hewitt said Chapman’s experience of working in a large UK and international organisation would be “invaluable in the next stage of investment and reform in the NHS”.

Steve Barnett, director of NHS Employers, welcomed the appointment.