We are thrilled to announce Katy Calvin-Thomas's appointment as the Executive Director for Place, Health, and Adult Social Care. This significant joint role shared between Barnsley Council and the NHS South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) combines the duties of Barnsley Council’s Director of Adult Social Care with the strategic responsibilities of the NHS South Yorkshire ICB Executive Place Director for Barnsley.
Katy joins us with extensive experience and an impressive track record in health and social care leadership, bringing together priorities across health and social care. She has served as Chief Executive of the Manchester and Trafford Local Care Organisation since 2017, following her role as Director of Strategy. Katy has overseen the development and delivery of one of the largest integrated community health and social care organisations.
Bringing a wealth of expertise in adult social care, Katy has been a key member of Manchester Council’s senior leadership team, leading the implementation of neighbourhood-based models to help people remain safe, supported, and independent at home whenever possible. Her strong commitment to place-based, integrated services and her dedication to joint commissioning and community empowerment make her a true advocate for impactful health and social care initiatives.
Her previous roles include Director of the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership and Executive Director of Planning and Performance at Pennine Care NHS Mental Health Foundation Trust, where she built lasting partnerships across the sector. Known for her collaborative and transparent leadership style, Katy has consistently achieved impactful results by fostering teamwork and aligning resources to serve community needs effectively.
Katy expressed her excitement about the new role: “I’m delighted to be joining you all soon in this vitally important joint role – making a tangible difference to the lives of our residents and building on the fantastic work already underway.”
The Executive Director for Place, Health, and Adult Social Care role is unique in its scope, overseeing Barnsley’s Adult Social Care services and managing the NHS South Yorkshire resources within Barnsley. The position is also a voting member of the NHS South Yorkshire Unitary Board, a member of the council’s Senior Management Team, and chairs the Barnsley Health and Care Partnership, which guides our communities' health and care plan.
As a “place of possibilities,” Barnsley is proud of our collaborative, pioneering approach to public service. This joint role exemplifies our commitment to integration, maximising resources, and delivering outstanding outcomes. Our Health on the High Street project and Barnsley 2030 vision demonstrate the heights our community-oriented, proactive health approaches can achieve.
Sarah Norman, Chief Executive of Barnsley Council, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Katy to Barnsley in this unique and pivotal role. Her impressive experience in integrated health and social care leadership and her commitment to collaboration and community empowerment make her an excellent fit for this joint role. Katy’s passion for transforming services to improve lives aligns perfectly with our mission, and I am confident she will help drive our vision for a healthier, more inclusive Barnsley.”
Gavin Boyle, Chief Executive of NHS South Yorkshire, said: “We’re pleased to have recruited someone with Katy’s significant level of experience and knowledge to our Barnsley role. This is a unique role combining health and adult social care and is integral to improving both population health and reducing health inequalities. We look forward to Katy joining the ICB next year and continuing the success of the Barnsley Health and Care Partnership.”
Katy’s start date will be confirmed soon, and we look forward to the expertise and vision she will bring to Barnsley Council and South Yorkshire ICB in this dynamic and impactful role.