The team at Health Innovation West of England has bid a fond farewell to our Chief Operating Officer Ben Bennett, who retired at the start of May after 34 years with the NHS.
Ben has led the corporate, HR and finance functions for the organisation since 2018. Before joining Health Innovation West of England, Ben’s career spanned a variety of senior leadership roles in the NHS.
He spent over a decade in senior operational management roles in acute hospital, community and mental health services in Wales and locally at Southmead Hospital and at Bristol Royal Infirmary.
From 2003 Ben worked in commissioning roles across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, leading and delivering strategic projects within the NHS and in partnership with NHS and local authority partners, and with local people, including leading new community hospital developments in Bristol and several large-scale public consultations.
Ben Bennett said: “Standing down from my role here and also retiring from the NHS, there is much to reflect on – more than anything, it’s been a pleasure and privilege to work with so many supportive and inspirational colleagues over the last 34 years, including here in Health Innovation West of England.”
Natasha Swinscoe, Chief Executive of Health Innovation West of England, said: “Ben has been instrumental in developing our organisation into what we are today, helping to build and support the great team we have here that in turn supports our local health and care systems to adopt and spread innovations.
“Ben understands how the NHS ticks and what makes things work and has been invaluable in helping us build relationships and partnerships with key people and organisations that have resulted in impactful projects and programmes benefitting local people.
“Ben has worked in the NHS in the West of England for many years and has many friends and colleagues who have valued his wise counsel along the way. We all wish him a very happy and long retirement, much of which will no doubt be spent cycling!”
Posted on May 9, 2025
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