Simon Stevens has been named the most powerful person in healthcare in the HSJ100, just eight months after becoming NHS England chief executive.
Mr Stevens swaps places with health secretary Jeremy Hunt, who is in second place.
The HSJ100, now in its ninth year, measures influence for the next 12 months. The make-up of this year’s list reflects the dominant role the NHS will play in national and political conversation ahead of next May’s election, and the impact any new government will have on the service.
HSJ100 2014
Seven of this year’s new entries come from the world of politics and other political figures have improved their rankings.
Shadow health secretary Andy Burnham jumps from 20th to fifth, while Lord Carter, chair of the NHS procurement and efficiency review, is the highest new entry at 13. Shadow health minister Liz Kendall rises from 46th to 43rd, and campaign consultant Lynton Crosby is a new entry for the Conservatives at 50.
The growing influence of clinicians on health policy is also apparent in the list, accounting for 15 new entries and 14 of those moving up the list. NHS England medical director Sir Bruce Keogh is the highest ranked clinician in fourth place, overtaking chief inspector of hospitals Sir Mike Richards, who falls from third to sixth. British Medical association council chair Dr Mark Porter, BMA GP committee chair Dr Chaand Nagpaul and Royal College of GPs president Dr Maureen Baker also all rose up the list.
Dame Sally Davies, chief medical officer for England, is the highest placed woman in the HSJ100 in tenth place. There are 23 women on the list, the same as in 2013.
