After five and a half years as Chief Executive of the International Foundation for Integrated Care, Dr Niamh Lennox-Chhugani will shortly leave IFIC and move into the next stage of her career. Niamh will remain part of the IFIC community as a Senior Associate, allowing the organisation to continue drawing on her considerable knowledge, experience and international relationships.
Since joining IFIC in 2021, Niamh has guided the organisation through an important period of growth and development. IFIC’s programmes and partnerships have become broader and more connected, its international profile and influence have grown, and its global network now reaches more deeply across countries, regions and different parts of the integrated care community. Niamh has helped position IFIC as a trusted international voice, bringing greater connection across its work in research, education, policy, implementation and knowledge exchange.
Alongside this outward growth, Niamh has focused considerable attention on the organisation behind IFIC’s international work. Under her leadership, IFIC has developed a more diversified financial model, clearer organisational policies and decision-making processes, and more robust arrangements for financial oversight, risk management and governance. She has encouraged systematic approaches to planning, process management, evaluation and organisational learning, helping IFIC understand its work more critically and make better-informed decisions about its future.
Niamh has also invested in the development of the team, clarifying responsibilities, building management capability and fostering a culture of trust, openness and shared accountability. Closer working relationships between the Executive Team and Supervisory Board form an important part of that legacy. Together, these developments leave IFIC with stronger organisational foundations, an experienced team and a clear direction for the development of its 2027–2030 strategy.
IFIC Chair Professor Áine Carroll said:
“Niamh has led IFIC with clarity, care and great determination. She has brought strategic focus to the organisation while remaining deeply attentive to its people, partners and purpose. Her leadership has helped IFIC grow in confidence and maturity, and the organisation is well placed to build on that progress. On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Niamh for the very significant contribution she has made to IFIC and to the wider integrated care community.”
Reflecting on her time with IFIC, Niamh said:
“It has been a real privilege to lead IFIC and to work alongside such a committed team, Board and international community. I am proud of what we have achieved together and of the organisation IFIC has become. IFIC has the people, relationships and sense of purpose it needs for the future, and I leave with great confidence in the team and genuine excitement about what lies ahead.”
The transition has been planned carefully to provide continuity for the organisation and its partners. Deputy Chief Executive Fiona Lyne will serve as Interim Chief Executive, supported by Georgina Ferrer and the wider IFIC team. The Supervisory Board has agreed the profile for IFIC’s next Chief Executive, and the role will be advertised shortly through an open recruitment process.
As Niamh prepares to leave, colleagues across IFIC’s Board, team and international community extend their warmest thanks for her leadership, generosity and commitment. We wish her every success in this next chapter and look forward to continuing to work with her as part of the IFIC community.