Our governance
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-20)

Details of framework agreement, leadership structure and advisory board information.

Framework agreement

The Framework agreement between the Department of Health and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/framework-document-between-the-department-of-health-and-social-care-and-the-uk-health-security-agency) sets out UKHSA’s overarching governance arrangements.

UKHSA Advisory Board

The UKHSA Advisory Board meets at least quarterly and meetings are held in public. Led by the Chair, it is responsible for providing strategic advice on the running of UKHSA, assuring the effectiveness of UKHSA’s corporate governance arrangements, and for advising the Chief Executive on:
- the development of UKHSA’s corporate plan and annual business plan
- UKHSA’s financial and performance objectives, and progress on meeting those objectives
- management performance and effective leadership of UKHSA within a framework of prudent and effective controls which enables risk to be assessed and managed
- issues and policies, both within the public health system and from other government departments, which could impact on the strategic direction of UKHSA
UKHSA Advisory Board terms of reference (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/63624faf8fa8f505793ef705/Terms-of-Reference.pdf) (PDF, 217 KB, 11 pages)

The UKHSA Advisory Board has established the following committees:

Audit and Risk Committee (ARC)

ARC, chaired by non-executive member Cindy Rampersaud, provides an important oversight role including areas of risk management, corporate governance, quality of financial reporting and assurance arrangements for UKHSA.

Audit and Risk Committee terms of reference (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6880ab54901d5f8d471204e0/audit-and-risk-committee-terms-of-reference.pdf) (PDF, 172 KB, 8 pages)

People and Culture Committee

This committee is chaired by non-executive member Sir Gordon Messenger, and provides advice on people-related processes to help UKHSA achieve its goals, including talent management, capability building, and incentives and rewards.

People and Culture Committee terms of reference (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6880ab739fab8e2e86160ef3/people-and-culture-committee-terms-of-reference.pdf) (PDF, 137 KB, 4 pages)

Science and Research Committee

This committee is chaired by non-executive member Jon Friedland, and advises on the strategic aspects of UKHSA’s scientific work such as the implementation of the science strategy and ensuring science and research have the greatest impacts on health outcomes.

Science and Research Committee terms of reference (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6880ab862b6fd60b7c160ef0/science-and-research-committee-terms-of-reference.pdf) (PDF, 122 KB, 5 pages)

Equalities, Ethics and Communities Committee

This committee is chaired by non-executive member Graham Hart, and gives advice on UKHSA’s ambition to reduce health inequalities, and on the best approaches to engaging with communities. It also acts as a source of advice for ethical decision-making in the field of health security.

Equalities, Ethics and Communities Committee terms of reference (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/684070041d85c6606009cd5b/equalities-ethics-and-communities-committee-terms-of-reference.pdf) (PDF, 141 KB, 5 pages)

Chief Executive

The Chief Executive, Professor Susan Hopkins, is responsible for the leadership and management of UKHSA and the delivery of its objectives. She is supported by the UKHSA Executive Committee, which meets regularly and provides executive management and governance of the operations and delivery of UKHSA.

Chair

Ian Peters was appointed in April 2021. He has previously held roles as Chair of Barts Health NHS Trust, Chief Executive of British Gas and Managing Director of NatWest Small Business Services.

Non-executive UKHSA Advisory Board members
- Jon Friedland – Vice-President (Research and Innovation), City St. George’s, University of London, Jon is a clinically trained infectious diseases academic with previous experience on JCVI and with the MHRA including as Vice-Chair on the Commission for Human Medicines
- Graham Hart – a social and behavioural scientist with expertise in sexual health and HIV
- Mark Lloyd – former council and Local Government Association CEO, experienced in integrating national, regional and local services to deliver better outcomes for communities and residents
- Sir Gordon Messenger – ex-Vice Chief of Defence Staff with experience in contingency planning, crisis management and leadership
- Cindy Rampersaud – non-executive director at Sage Homes, a board member at consumer group Which? and was previously on the boards of the London Film School and Hipgnosis where she chaired ARC
- Stuart Dollow - Founder, Vermilion Life Sciences and a registered physician with extensive experience in medicines development in the pharmaceutical industry. Previous roles with DHSC as Chair of the Advisory Committee for Clinical Impact Awards, and as a Board member of the Human Tissue Authority, as well as a Trustee for the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine.
Associate non-executive UKHSA Advisory Board members
- Dame Marie Gabriel – current Integrated Care System Chair; previous non-executive experience in acute, mental health and commissioning
- Raj Long – professional career in medicines and vaccines development, regulation, and access in private and public health, including supporting the WHO and a non-executive director of the MHRA Board
- Sarah Jensen – Chief Information Officer at Barts Health NHS Trust with previous experience in financial services at Fortune 500 companies in the United States before moving into the global space
Executive UKHSA Advisory Board members
- Susan Hopkins – Chief Executive
- Steven Riley – Chief Data Officer
- Dyfed Alsop – Chief Operating Office
- Luke Heath – Director, Finance, Performance, Risk and Assurance
UKHSA Advisory Board register of interests

The UKHSA Advisory Board register of interests (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ukhsa-advisory-board-register-of-interests) sets out those interests held by Advisory Board members outside of the agency.

Attend a UKHSA Advisory Board meeting, held in public

Members of the public are able to register to join public meetings by emailing the UKHSA Governance team (xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)). You must do so at least 3 working days in advance of the meeting for attendance in person.

Submit a question to the UKHSA Advisory Board

Questions are welcomed on the discussion at UKHSA Advisory Board meetings. We advise you to keep questions concise and relevant to topics for discussion.

You should email your questions to the UKHSA Governance team (xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)) 3 working days in advance of the meeting. Questions that do not relate to a paper of the Advisory Board meeting agenda, or questions received after the deadline will be passed to the UKHSA Enquiries team (xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)). You should expect a written response within 10 working days.

Meeting dates

The next Advisory Board meeting will be held in person on 25 November 2025 in Bristol.

Future meetings will take place on:
- 27 January 2026
- 17 March 2026
- 12 May 2026
- 14 July 2026
Meeting papers

The agenda and papers for the UKHSA Advisory Board will be available here prior to meetings:

UKHSA Advisory Board meeting papers for November 2025 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ukhsa-advisory-board-meeting-papers-for-november-2025)

UKHSA Advisory Board meeting papers for September 2025 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ukhsa-advisory-board-meeting-papers-for-september-2025)

UKHSA Advisory Board meeting papers for July 2025 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ukhsa-advisory-board-meeting-papers-for-july-2025)

UKHSA Advisory Board meeting papers for May 2025 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ukhsa-advisory-board-meeting-papers-for-may-2025)

UKHSA Advisory Board meeting papers for March 2025 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ukhsa-advisory-board-meeting-papers-march-2025)

UKHSA Advisory Board meeting papers for January 2025 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ukhsa-advisory-board-meeting-papers-january-2025)

UKHSA Advisory Board meeting papers for November 2024 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ukhsa-advisory-board-meeting-papers-for-november-2024)

UKHSA Board meeting papers: September 2024 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ukhsa-advisory-board-meeting-papers-for-september-2024)

UKHSA Board meeting papers: May 2024 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ukhsa-advisory-board-agenda)

UKHSA Board meeting papers: March 2024 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ukhsa-advisory-board-meeting-papers-march-2024)

UKHSA Board meeting papers: January 2024 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ukhsa-advisory-board-meeting-papers-january-2024)

UKHSA Board meeting papers: November 2023 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ukhsa-board-meeting-papers-november-2023)

UKHSA Board meeting papers: September 2023 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ukhsa-board-meeting-papers-september-2023)

UKHSA Board meeting papers: July 2023 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ukhsa-board-meeting-papers-july-2023)

UKHSA Board meeting papers: May 2023 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ukhsa-board-meeting-papers-may-2023)

UKHSA Board meeting papers: March 2023 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ukhsa-board-meeting-papers-march-2023)

UKHSA Board meeting papers: January 2023 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ukhsa-board-meeting-papers-january-2023)

UKHSA Board meeting papers: November 2022 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ukhsa-board-meeting-papers-november-2022)

UKHSA Board meeting papers: September 2022 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ukhsa-board-meeting-papers-september-2022)