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Andrew Besford

I help large, complex organisations and public systems improve how they use technology and data. I have over 25 years’ experience across the private sector, central government and the health system.

I am now an independent consultant working on major digital and organisational change. In non-executive roles I focus on digital and data strategy at board level, particularly in health. In 2025 I published A Fresh Mandate for Digital Leadership in the NHS, setting out what must change to meet national ambitions.

Below is a selection of my recent work. You can also browse news and press coverage, see events where I have spoken, or read my biography. I am open to selected advisory, board and speaking engagements: get in touch.

Recent work

NHS Non-executive

NHS Non-executive

I serve as a non-executive director at Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust, chairing the digital committee and providing board-level oversight of digital and data strategy.
Independent consulting

Independent consulting

I support large, complex organisations and central government to use technology and data more effectively, while staying secure.
NHS Digital Leaders report

NHS Digital Leaders report

In ‘A Fresh Mandate for Digital Leadership in the NHS’, I set out what needs to change to meet national ambitions, based on interviews with senior digital leaders.
Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

As a non-executive director, I oversaw a major period of investment in IT, digital and data within one of the NHS’s best-performing trusts, strengthening its digital capability and resilience.