by RADHAKRISHNA NS
Sharmila Nebhrajani OBE took office as chairperson of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) on Tuesday (May 26).
She was appointed by Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Matt Hancock, following an open recruitment process.
With significant government, charitable, and industry experience across a range of sectors, Nebhrajani took charge as NICE’s third permanent chairperson.
She has replaced Sir David Haslam who held the role from 2013 to 2019.
Nebhrajani read Physiological Sciences at the University of Oxford and later became a biomedical scientist before working as a business management consultant.
Nebhrajani was most recently chief executive of Wilton Park, a not-for-profit agency of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office which organises events on key issues including global health and international patient safety.
She has also previously held the post of chair of the Human Tissue Authority and currently holds a non-executive role at the Health Foundation.
Other past positions include director of external affairs for the Medical Research Council and chief executive of the Association of Medical Research Charities.
Nebhrajani also spent 12 years at the BBC as chief operating officer of BBC Future Media.
She was made an OBE in 2014 for services to medical research.
Nebhrajani said: “I am delighted to be joining NICE at what is a critical juncture for patients, for the health and care system and indeed the country, as we collectively respond to COVID-19 and its aftermath.
“Often one is asked to take on a job that it is interesting; and sometimes to take on a job that is important. Becoming the chairman of NICE at this time is that rare thing – a role that is both supremely important and acutely interesting.
“NICE has had an immensely successful past with a deserved international reputation for rigorous evidence-based analysis....”
In addition to her non-executive work, in 2007-2008 Sharmila was a World Fellow at Yale University with a specialissation in innovation and practical cases in bio-ethics.
Clifford had previously pleaded guilty to the murders of BBC sports commentator John Hunt’s wife and two daughters at their home in northwest of London, in July 2024. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Crossbow murderer found guilty of raping ex-girlfriend
A 26-YEAR-OLD man who murdered three women in a crossbow and stabbing attack has been found guilty of raping one of them, his ex-girlfriend, a British court ruled on Thursday.
Kyle Clifford had previously pleaded guilty to the murders of BBC sports commentator John Hunt’s wife and two daughters at their home in Bushey, northwest of London, in July 2024.
The attack led to a manhunt before Clifford was found injured hours later in a north London cemetery.
A jury at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday convicted Clifford of raping 25-year-old Louise Hunt before killing her.
His sentencing for all the crimes is scheduled for Tuesday.
Clifford had admitted to murdering Carol Hunt, 61, and her daughters Louise and Hannah, 28. He had also pleaded guilty to charges of false imprisonment and possessing offensive weapons but denied raping Louise.
During the trial, the court heard that after killing Carol Hunt, Clifford waited for an hour before attacking Louise, tying her up, raping her, and then killing her with a crossbow. He later killed Hannah when she returned home from work.
The prosecution described Clifford, a former soldier, as committing a "violent, sexual act of spite" and said he was "enraged" after Louise ended their 18-month relationship. They told the court that he had "carefully planned" the attack.
Less than 24 hours before the killings, Clifford had searched for a podcast by social media influencer Andrew Tate, according to the prosecution. They argued that the murders were driven by the "violent misogyny promoted" by Tate.
Justice Joel Bennathan called Clifford’s crimes "dreadful" and "almost unspeakable".
(With inputs from AFP)