Kent Surrey Sussex AHSN announces new name: Health Innovation Kent Surrey Sussex

Following new five-year licence, Kent Surrey Sussex AHSN announces rename and new Chair.

In May, it was announced that Kent Surrey Sussex Academic Health Science Network (KSS AHSN) would be relicensed, to continue leading innovation for five more years. As of 1 October 2023, the new licence has come into effect and KSS AHSN is now operating under a new name: Health Innovation Kent Surrey Sussex (Health Innovation KSS).

The organisation itself will not alter how it operates as a result of the change, but the new name better reflects the organisation’s role in supporting development and spread of innovation across health and care services.

“Our new name, Health Innovation Kent Surrey Sussex, provides us with a welcome opportunity to be clearer about what we do and as a result become more effective in our work. The relicensing will allow us to build on our success of supporting national and local innovation, and working with people across the health and care system to co-design new solutions.“ – Dr Des Holden, Chief Executive Officer at Health Innovation KSS

This relicensing comes at an exciting time for Health Innovation KSS, as it announces the appointment of a new Chair, Jane Ollis. Jane is an experienced Chair and medical innovator, who has 25 years of diverse business experience from interning at NASA to sitting on and advising boards of global companies, charities and government bodies. Jane Ollis takes over the role from David Clayton-Smith after ten years in the role which saw much change and growth within the organisation.

“Our name change to Health Innovation KSS, which coincides with our 10 year anniversary, represents a step change in the pace, ambition and scale of our work. Our 50 strong team are ready to deploy their combined expertise and capabilities on the toughest clinical challenges across our region, making sure innovations get in the hands of those that need them most, having the biggest difference in their health and wellbeing.” – Jane Ollis, Chair at Health Innovation KSS

As Health Innovation KSS, the organisation will continue to support innovation and transformation projects which contribute to their overarching success factors: enabling the spread and adoption of innovation, improving the quality and safety of health and care, and supporting innovators and driving economic growth. Find out more about Health Innovation KSS’s work in their Year in Review 2022-23.