The chief executive of NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board, Mark Fisher CBE, has been suspended on a precautionary basis pending the outcome of an internal investigation. The decision was confirmed by the ICB, which said the action followed established governance and HR procedures and should not be interpreted as an indication of any findings.
In a statement, a spokeswoman for the organisation said the process was being carried out in line with the ICB’s whistleblowing, human resources and governance frameworks. She stressed that no conclusions have been reached and urged stakeholders not to draw assumptions while the investigation is under way. Due to confidentiality obligations, the board said it is unable to comment further on the nature of the concern that prompted the inquiry. Details of the allegation have not been made public.
To ensure stability during the investigation period, deputy chief executive Colin Scales has taken on the role of interim chief executive. The board said this arrangement is intended to maintain continuity for staff, partners and the wider system while the process is completed. Senior leaders across the organisation have reiterated that day to day operations, including planning and commissioning functions, will continue without interruption.
Mr Fisher has been a prominent figure in the development of the Greater Manchester integrated care system. He became chief executive when the ICB was formally established in July 2022 following national legislation bringing together commissioning responsibilities and system leadership roles. Prior to this, he held a series of senior posts in public service, including Director General positions within the Cabinet Office. He also served as Secretary to the Grenfell Tower Public Inquiry, a role that involved significant cross government coordination and public engagement.
Earlier this year, Mr Fisher announced his intention to retire around the end of March 2026, marking more than forty years of public sector service. At the time, the ICB noted his contributions to the formation of the integrated care system and the development of cross sector partnerships across Greater Manchester. His planned retirement timeline remains unchanged, although his immediate future will now depend on the outcome of the investigation.
The suspension comes at a time when the Greater Manchester ICB continues to oversee a large and complex health and care system. The organisation is responsible for a funding allocation of approximately £6.7 billion and serves a population of more than 2.8 million people. Its portfolio includes major acute providers, mental health services, primary care, community services and public health partnerships with local authorities. Leadership stability is viewed as particularly important as systems work to meet national performance expectations and progress long term transformation plans.
The internal investigation is ongoing and the ICB has stated that updates will be provided when legally permissible. For now, operational responsibility remains with Mr Scales, who will oversee system priorities while the board completes the process.
