Infected Blood Compensation Authority: Independent Member Appointments

I should like to inform the House that I have appointed three interim non-executive board members to the Infected Blood Compensation Authority under part 3 of the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024:

Russell Frith, appointed as an interim audit and risk board member, effective from 1st October 2024 until 1 October 2025;

Deborah Harris-Ugbomah, appointed as an interim commercial board member, effective from 1st October 2024 until 1 October 2025; and

Paula Sussex, appointed as an interim digital and data board member, effective from 1st October 2024 until 1 October 2025.

Sir Robert Francis KC, the interim chair of the Infected Blood Compensation Authority, has also appointed three interim non-executive board members:

Sir Robert Behrens, appointed as an interim community engagement board member, effective from 1st October 2024 until 1 October 2025;

Helen Parker, appointed as an interim community engagement board member, effective from 1st October 2024 until 1 October 2025; and

Gillian Fairfield, appointed as an interim medical board member, effective from 1st October 2024 until 1 October 2025.

These short-term appointments will support the Infected Blood Compensation Authority to deliver compensation to people who are infected and affected in a timely manner. An open and fair recruitment process will commence in 2025 to fill these posts substantively.

The Government are absolutely committed to acting on the findings of the infected blood inquiry and today’s announcement is progress towards that collective aim. I will continue to update the House as we progress work to deliver long overdue compensation to people infected and affected as a result of the infected blood scandal.

[HCWS116]