University of Warwick appoints Sudhesh Kumar new vice president in charge of health innovation

The University of Warwick has announced Professor Sudhesh Kumar as it’s new Vice President, Health.

This newly-created role will expand Warwick’s existing innovation in health and medical science research and education, as well as leading on development of our regional healthcare ecosystem.

Some of these major regional initiatives will include advancements within Warwick’s Innovation Campus, and international engagement with a focus on India.

Professor Kumar has served as Dean of Medicine at Warwick Medical School (WMS) for more than eight years and before that as a senior leader within WMS.

Professor Kumar is a clinical endocrinologist who has contributed much to advancing his discipline both as a clinician and as an academic.

He has published more than 240 papers and six books over his career and has trained and mentored a large number of clinicians and academics who have themselves taken on senior leadership roles in the NHS or universities.

Professor Kumar was also a Non-Executive Director on the University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust Board and NHS Digital, where he was Vice Chair of the Board.

He received the Coventry City Award of Merit in 2011 and was awarded an OBE for services to medicine in 2019.

Commenting on his new appointment, Professor Kumar said: "I am delighted to take on this new appointment, where I think we have an unprecedented opportunity to build a powerful new healthcare innovation ecosystem in our region of national and international significance.

"I am passionate about this vision and look forward to working with colleagues right across our university working closely with our healthcare and industry partners to realise this vision. This work will build on some recent successes and reflects a step change in university ambition in this area that I am excited about.

The University of Warwick’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Stuart Croft, added: "I’m very pleased to soon be welcoming Sudhesh into this newly-created role. Through his work, he will position Warwick at the forefront of health and medical science initiatives and coordinate our engagement with regional developments and initiatives."

This article was first published on 24 July by University of Warwick