Ed Smith

Ed joined Saxton Bampfylde’s Board as a Non-executive Director in 2021. Ed is currently Chair of Assura PLC, the leading Primary Care property REIT, Chair of Birmingham Health Partners, Chair of the HCA Healthcare (UK) Advisory Board as well as advising a number of early stages Healthtech companies.

He is the former Pro Chancellor and Chair of Council at the University of Birmingham and has spent many years in various oversight roles for Higher Education including Deputy Chair of HEFCE, Chair of Student Loans Company and Chair of British Universities and Colleges Sport

He has also been Chair of NHS Improvement and Deputy Chair of NHS England, the Senior Independent Director at HS2 Ltd, Non-executive Director of The Euston Partnership Board, Chair of WWF-UK, Chair of Caterham School, Chair of Crown Commercial Services, Lead Non-executive Director at Department for Transport, Treasurer and Council Member at Chatham House and a member of the Competition Commission and the CMA.

Prior to his portfolio of roles, Ed spent 30 years with PricewaterhouseCoopers in many senior UK and International roles. He is also a mentor to next generation leaders and a strong advocate for, and practitioner of, diversity and inclusion.