Sir David Behan (left) in conversation with Sciana Fellow Rishi Das Gupta (right) in Schloss Leopoldskron's Great Hall Sir David Behan (left) in conversation with Sciana Fellow Rishi Das Gupta (right) in Schloss Leopoldskron's Great Hall

Sir David Behan to chair Sciana’s sixth cohort

26 Apr 2023
by Sciana

Current Sciana Advisor will take over from Ilona Kickbusch, who is moving to a new role within Sciana Network

The Sciana Network is pleased to announce Sir David Behan will chair Sciana's sixth cohort.

Sir David, who currently serves as a Sciana Advisor and chair of Health Education England, will take over from Ilona Kickbusch in this role, who is moving to a new position that will see her lead the evolution of the Sciana Network in an international context.

Sir David said, "The challenge of leading health, care, and wellbeing systems has never been greater. I am honoured to be asked to lead the Sciana Network to support current and future leaders to develop the way they lead and be the best they can be."

Mary Helen Pombo, programme director for the Sciana Network, said she was delighted to welcome Sir David in his new position.

She said, “Sir David’s extensive experience, exceptional leadership qualities and unwavering commitment to quality care and population health are invaluable in his new role, as they have been in his role as a Sciana Advisor from the UK over the past few years. His leadership vision will undoubtedly inspire Cohort 6 Fellows.”

Sciana congratulates and thanks Ilona for her unwavering commitment and leadership. Under Ilona's leadership, together with the three foundations (Health Foundation, Careum, and Robert Bosch Stiftung) and Salzburg Global Seminar, Sciana has achieved considerable success.

The network has continued to evolve and grow stronger, from its initial focus on health systems to its broader focus on systems leadership for health and wellbeing.

Ilona has been a tireless advocate for deeper collaboration across countries and with leading international health organizations in Europe. All involved with Sciana are thrilled Ilona will remain within the network and continue to play an important role.

Following Ilona's exemplary work, the foundations and Salzburg Global Seminar put extensive thought into recruiting Sir David as her successor.

Sir David first attended a Sciana Network meeting as a guest speaker in November 2018. He became a Sciana Advisor in 2019 and has since placed an invaluable role in sharing his experience and advising Fellows.

Sciana and Sir David is well placed to build on the significant progress made during Ilona's tenure. The network will continue to invest in the future, embracing new ways of learning, connecting, and shaping health leaders.

Building upon this great momentum, Sciana is committed to growing its network and associated engagement activities and increasing its impact even further. By investing in its strategic partnerships, Sciana will continue to drive forward in preparing health leaders for future challenges.

Louise Baker-Schuster, chief foundation partners' officer for Sciana, said, "I'm absolutely delighted, as are the three Foundations that Sir David has accepted our invitation to chair Cohort 6. Working with Sir David has always been a pleasure, and I am very excited at the prospect of strengthening that successful working relationship with him in the future."

Meet the Partners

Sciana: The Health Leaders Network is a programme supported jointly by the Health Foundation (UK), Careum (CH) and the Bosch Health Campus (DE) in collaboration with Salzburg Global Seminar.