Director of Delivery, UK

Clare Thomason is our Director of Delivery for the UK at NHS ML and serves on the NHS ML’s board. As the strategic lead for the Delivery Directorate, she oversees several operational and corporate services including Contract Management, Referral Management, the Programme Team, Communications and Engagement, The Inclusion Unit, and Commercial Intelligence.

In her role, Clare acts as a solutions architect, leading innovative and impactful work to direct the progress of the delivery directorate and the broader organisation. She is instrumental in driving client engagement, nurturing business development, and building robust partnerships, establishing system-wide credibility with managers, health professionals, and clinicians.

Joining NHS ML nearly six years ago, Clare came from a directorial position at a national private-sector health consultancy. She has significantly enhanced partnerships between NHS ML, NHS England (NHSE), integrated care boards (ICBs), and the broader market. Clare’s strategic advisory work with integrated care system/integrated care board (ICS/ICB) system leads and her initiatives in system and function redesign have expanded opportunities for NHS ML services, safeguarded core income, and established the NHS ML as a preferred system support partner.

With a background that spans clinical, academic, commissioning, and management consultancy roles, Clare brings over 24 years of experience in working with and for NHS organisations. She is committed to delivering high-quality services for patients and has a profound interest in self-development, service enhancement, and performance improvement.

Her career highlights include leading several national programs, improvement and redesign projects, and engaging in primary care, urgent care, acute and community contracting, as well as operational and strategic planning. She played a pivotal role in the authorisation of clinical commissioning groups and has worked closely with NHS commissioners, providers, and regulatory bodies, as well as emerging integrated care systems and merging acute trusts. Her tenure also includes a stint with a specialist NHSE improvement team.

Beyond her professional commitments, Clare serves as a Strategic Advisor for a registered charity in Greater Manchester, focusing on improving the homes and lives of older and disabled people.