Cygnet Health Care appoints new interim group clinical director

Cygnet Health Care has appointed Jon Van Niekerk as its new interim group clinical director.

Niekerk joined Cygnet in 2018 and has most recently been its regional medical director for the south of England.

He has experience as a medical manager in the NHS and independent sector. He was part of the first cohort of Medical Leadership Trainees in the North West Deanery and completed the NHS Graduate Management scheme alongside his higher specialist training.

He was a founding member of the Manchester Psychiatry Society and the past national chair of the Royal College’s Psychiatry Training Committee.

Niekerk is also an elected member of the General Adult Faculty at the Royal College of Psychiatrists and has recently been awarded Fellowship of the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

‘I am very much looking forward to taking up my new role and feel very privileged to lead the clinical team at Cygnet,’ said Niekerk. ‘I look forward to promoting the importance of clinical engagement, co-production and cross-departmental working to enable the best possible care for our service users.’

Jenny Gibson, HR director at Cygnet, added: ‘Having joined the company in 2018, Jon has had a very positive impact on the medical and clinical region in the south as well as becoming a big part in supporting interdepartmental working.

‘Reporting directly to CEO Dr Tony Romero and working in collaboration with operations, he will have overall responsibility for the leadership and management of our medical and AHP teams.’