Browne Jacobson welcomes Clive Kay as adviser

Browne Jacobson, a prominent UK and Ireland law firm, recently appointed distinguished healthcare leader Professor Clive Kay as a strategic adviser to strengthen its health and life sciences team. With nearly 40 years of extensive experience in the NHS, including 17 years as a consultant radiologist and over a decade in trust leadership, Prof Kay is well-equipped for his role as a non-executive director. He recently stepped down as Chief Executive of King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, a position he held since April 2019, during which he led the organisation through significant challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic.

In his capacity as an industry-aligned expert at Browne Jacobson, Prof Kay will collaborate closely with Gerard Hanratty, Partner and Head of Health and Life Sciences, as well as other senior team members, to drive the firm’s growth in public sector healthcare, independent health and care, international projects, life sciences, and medical malpractice. Prof Clive Kay remarked on his new role by stating “Throughout my time working in various roles across the healthcare sector, I’ve become aware of Browne Jacobson’s impressive reputation. I am really looking forward to working as part of the team by sharing my experience, ideas and knowledge. I’m excited about the opportunities available for the firm to leverage its deep understanding of how UK and international healthcare ecosystems operate to support clients in both the public and private sectors working to solve some of society’s biggest issues across healthcare.”

Throughout his leadership at King’s College Hospital, Prof Kay oversaw the development of the trust’s ambitious five-year BOLD corporate strategy, which targeted operational and clinical enhancements. This strategy not only helped stabilise the financial position of King’s but also repositioned it as a respected partner at both local and national levels. Additionally, in October 2023, he played a significant role in launching Epic, a new electronic health record system to replace outdated IT systems and paper records, in collaboration with Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust.

Before his tenure at King’s, Prof Kay ascended through various roles at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, transitioning from Clinical Director of Radiology and Medical Director to Chief Executive. He has an impressive academic background, having been a Visiting Associate Professor of Radiology at the Medical University of South Carolina, and serving on the Council of the Royal College of Radiologists. He has also held leadership positions within prestigious organisations such as the Royal College of Radiologists and the British Society of Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Radiology. Furthermore, he is a Fellow of both the Royal College of Radiologists and the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

Gerard Hanratty emphasised the significance of Prof Kay’s appointment, noting that "Clive’s appointment is a real coup for our health and life sciences team as he brings an abundance of leadership experience with him from a successful career in the NHS, independent sector and internationally." Hanratty acknowledged Prof Kay’s first-hand insight into the myriad transformation drivers affecting the health service, ranging from technological breakthroughs to demographic shifts and structural reforms. He also highlighted Prof Kay’s role in forging partnerships crucial for King’s College Hospital to effectively address the 10-Year Health Plan's objectives.

The health and life sciences offering at Browne Jacobson is grounded in a unique perspective derived from extensive experience with both NHS and private sectors. This position enables them to function as connectors for clients, helping navigate the intricate regulatory, legal, and practical challenges of healthcare. As the firm continues to innovate and expand, they anticipate that the invaluable insights and expertise Prof Kay brings to the team will further enhance their ability to meet client needs in a rapidly evolving landscape.