Beachcroft hire paves way for health practice

Senior partner Simon Hodson said the move would give clients “speedier access to policymakers ­within the health service”.

As chair of the Healthcare Commission until its closure in March, Kennedy was responsible for the body charged with improving the NHS.

This is a high-level appointment for Beachcroft, which will strengthen its reach into government departments.

The firm has also recruited Ray Tarling, formerly trust secretary and head of ­corporate affairs at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS ­Foundation Trust, to the new unit. “This will give us and clients better board-level access,” said Hodson. “It’s still about the legal issues, but they have real board-level experience and will be able to talk in the right language to clients.”

A firm statement said: “The service will provide counsel and support on key strategic issues, assistance to trusts aspiring to foundation status, regulatory advice and an ongoing service of briefing and access to policymakers.”