Royal Society for Public Health is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Jonathan Pearson-Stuttard as Chair of RSPH, alongside Prof Maggie Rae and Margaret Waterson as trustees.

The appointments coincide with the launch of RSPH’s new five-year-strategy which sets out a vision where everyone can lead a healthier life for longer. This will be achieved by empowering and upskilling the breadth of the public health workforce to improve the public’s health; addressing health inequalities; and making public health everyone’s responsibility. 

Dr Jonathan Pearson-Stuttard FRSPH, FFPH, who was previously in the role of RSPH Vice Chair, succeeds Dr Nigel Carter OBE, as RSPH Chair of Council.  As a Public Health Physician and Epidemiologist, he also works as Head of Health Analytics at Lane Clark & Peacock (LCP), Chair of the Health Inequalities Programme Board at Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, and as an Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer at Imperial College London.

Dr Jonathan Pearson-Stuttard, says:  

“I am delighted to have been appointed Chair of RSPH. The public’s health is a pivotal asset for the country’s prosperity. Fostering a healthy nation and reducing corresponding inequalities has never been more crucial in the wake of the lasting impacts of the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis. 

RSPH has a unique reach across the breadth of public health which is why RSPH’s new five-year strategy is so timely. Through addressing health inequalities, championing and building skill within the public health workforce, and ensuring the public’s health is considered in all policies, RSPH has a real opportunity to improve the lives of many. I look forward to playing my part to help RSPH to achieve this mission.”

Prof Maggie Rae, FRSPH, FFPH, FRCP, (Hon) FRCP, Edin FRCPath (Hon) FFOM (Hon) FFSRH (Hon), joins the RSPH board as a Trustee. Maggie is President of the Epidemiological and Public Health Section of the Royal Society of Medicine and Head of the South West Academy of Population and Public Health for Health Education England. She is also a former President of the Faculty of Public Health.

Prof Maggie Rae says: 

“I am delighted to be joining RSPH as a Trustee. I have been a Fellow of RSPH for a considerable time and I look forward to working with RSPH in this new role. 
It is a very important time for public health given the very stark health inequalities and poverty affecting the UK and the rest of the world. The current cost-of-living crisis is making the challenges even greater. The issues of climate change and the pandemic also require urgent action and focus. Finally, education and training are crucial to delivering high-quality public health. This is an important aspect of RSPH plans and I look forward to supporting this going forward.”

Margaret Waterston also joins RSPH as Trustee. She is currently Non-Executive Director with National Records of Scotland who work closely with Public Health Scotland in providing statistical analysis. Margaret was previously Director of Finance and Corporate Services for Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS).

Margaret Waterson says: 

“I am very pleased to have the opportunity to contribute to the positive development of public health at this juncture, particularly as we move away from the pandemic and get to grips with growing health inequalities. I’m looking forward to contributing to RSPH and supporting its strategic ambitions.”