Gurch brings a unique mix of Public Sector Board Leadership experience, Government public health advisory experience, and Patient & Public Involvement research. He also has over 30 years’ experience as an NHS Board member in various Chair and NED roles, currently serving as Deputy Chair of NHS Central East Integrated Care Board (ICB).
Gurch has specialist knowledge of Board leadership/Strategy development/Public Health/Commissioning issues – Public health workforce development, Health & Wellbeing Boards, and Public Health policy development. He also has had extensive involvement in Patient and Public research through working on national and international projects commissioned by Government bodies, currently serving as Member of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Expert Advisory Group for Organ Donation and Transplantation.
Gurch has an international track-record in faith-based and community-based projects and is currently convening the Vatican’s Pontifical Academy of Life’s Faith Leaders and Organ Donation dialogue. Gurch is also a Patron of the Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity.
Gurch is Professor of Diversity in Public Health and Director of the Institute for Health & Wellbeing Research at the University of Bedfordshire. His team have been pioneering evaluation of Social Prescribing (gardening, exercise, walking, etc) in the UK and its impact on mental health and wellbeing. Gurch also serves as Vice Lord-Lieutenant for Bedfordshire on behalf of His Majesty the King.
