About me

Hi, I’m Dr Robert Varnam. I am an improvement and leadership coach with a background as a GP and Director of Primary Care Improvement at NHS England. I live in Manchester, UK and work across the UK and internationally. 

Over the last decade, I have been at the forefront of national NHS policy for integrated care, primary care transformation and improvement leadership. Most recently I worked as national Director of Primary Care Improvement at NHS England and NHS Improvement.

I supported the creation of Next Generation GP and funded its first two years. I have had the privilege of contributing to over 40 programmes so far, and I am more committed than ever to encouraging and equipping early career GPs in leadership. You don’t have to wait to be The Boss to make an impact.

I have designed and delivered a large number of national and regional change leadership development programmes, helping leaders and teams use the best in improvement science, social movement theory and compassionate leadership. In England this has included The Productive General Practice, the General Practice Forward View and Time for Care. I also work internationally, providing ideas, coaching and training for healthcare policy, large scale change and quality improvement.