CSP welcomes new director of practice and development

Mr James, who is currently head of Clinical Education at Connect Health, said he was ‘excited and honoured to be joining the CSP leadership team’ and looking forward to taking up the role in March next year.

CSP chief executive Karen Middleton said: ‘I am delighted to welcome Ash to the CSP as director of practice and development. He brings a wealth of experience and expertise, both from the independent sector and the NHS, as well as energy and excitement, and I am looking forward to working with him.’

Commenting on his appointment, Mr James said:  

I am enormously proud to be a chartered physiotherapist, and over the last couple of years in particular have seen what our profession is really capable of

‘Whether that has been on the front line during the Covid pandemic, implementation of FCP in primary care, our ongoing push for community rehab or increasing numbers of physiotherapists in AHP leadership roles, we have seen the profession stand up and be counted.’

A diverse wealth of experience

Mr James has a background in MSK and his career to date has spanned professional sport, occupational health, the NHS and education in both leadership and clinical roles over the last 12 years.

‘This has exposed me to the needs of patients and importantly the pressures placed on clinicians in different physiotherapy environments,’ he said.

‘I am passionate about driving quality, evidence informed care whether that is in individual patient interactions, technology advancements or service delivery. Through the membership, the professional committee and the council, I will endeavour to lead the profession in the right direction.’

‘There is an excellent team at the CSP which has done some outstanding work to date much of which, I am sure, is behind the scenes. I intend to work collaboratively across the organisation to drive forward the Corporate Strategy and the Equity, Diversity and Belonging Strategy.

I look forward to working with everyone at the CSP and engaging widely with our brilliant membership

His appointment as director of practice and development follows the retirement of Natalie Beswetherick, who previously held the role for 11 years.

Gill Rawlinson, CSP assistant director of practice and development, will act as the interim director of the department before Mr James begins in March 2022.