Michael Watson is the Executive Director of Corporate Services at NHS Essex Integrated Care Board.
Michael leads the organisation’s corporate services. He helps make sure NHS Essex is well led, works effectively and is accountable to the people it serves.
He has many years of experience in strategy, governance, stakeholder engagement and organisational leadership across the NHS and the public sector.
Before joining NHS Essex, Michael held senior leadership roles in integrated care systems across Essex and Hertfordshire. These included Executive Director of Corporate Services at NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board and Chief of Staff at NHS Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board.
In these roles, he supported boards and senior leaders to make important decisions, improve governance and strengthen partnership working. He also helped develop long-term plans for health services and supported changes that gave local communities a stronger voice in decisions about care.
Earlier in his career, Michael worked for NHS Improvement, where he supported national programmes to improve leadership, organisational culture and workforce development. He helped develop the NHS People Plan and other national programmes to support improvement across the NHS.
Michael has also worked in public affairs and patient advocacy. He worked with organisations including Arthritis Research UK and The Patients Association, supporting campaigns, communications and services for patients.
He began his career working in Parliament before serving as a Borough Councillor on Broxbourne Council. During this time, he spent three years as Chair of the Scrutiny Committee.