Richard Barker CBE is a non-executive director of CQC.
Richard previously led the transformation of the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and NHS England (NHSE) and so his initial appointment to CQC in June 2025 was as an associate non-executive director. In April 2026, after his NHS England role ended, he was appointed as a full non-executive director of CQC.
Richard has a 40 year career in the NHS involving senior leadership roles in both operational and strategic settings. He is particularly interested in how organisations can take a strategic approach to quality improvement and the use of advanced analytics as an accelerator for change.
Richard retired as Regional Director of NHS England (North) in 2024 and is on the governing body of University of Sunderland.
He has recently been appointed to lead the transformation of DHSC and NHSE. He will become a full non-executive director when this role has been completed.
Declaration of interests
- Board Governor, University of Sunderland - contracts with NHSE and relationships with NHS Providers subject to CQC inspection regime.
- Daughter is a registered medical practitioner (currently working outside the UK but planning to return in 2026)
Previous employment
- Part time and temporary SRO Transformation, NHS England. Transformation. Role includes secondment to DHSC which has overall responsibility for all NHS and social care bodies, including CQC. (Role ended 31 December 2025)
- NHSE Regional Director for the two North of England Regions (July 2022 - June 2024)
- NHSE Regional Director for the North East and Yorkshire (April 2019 - June 2024)
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