UK health leader receives honorary degree from Northumbria University

A health leader who played a key role during the Covid pandemic has received an Honorary Doctorate of Civil Law from Northumbria University, Newcastle.

Michael Brodie CBE, Chief Executive of the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA), was presented with his honorary degree during Northumbria’s summer graduation ceremonies held at the University’s Newcastle City Campus.

During the national fight against coronavirus, Ashington-born Michael led NHSBSA while also becoming Interim Chief Executive at the then Public Health England (PHE), following the announcement of its pending abolition in August 2020.

Both the NHSBSA and PHE played pivotal roles in the pandemic, with the NHSBSA standing up around 50 new services to support the national effort and PHE leading on public safety and many aspects of the national response.

He returned to the NHSBSA full time in October 2021 after overseeing the successful transition of PHE into the UK Health Security Agency and Office for Health Improvement and Disparities.

A Northumbria alumnus, Michael achieved a degree in accountancy at the University in 1990 and since graduating, has gained extensive experience at board level and across the public services.

He became head of finance at South Tyneside Council in 2005, before moving to the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA), headquartered in Newcastle, to become Assistant Director of Finance then Finance Director.

He was appointed as Finance and Commercial Director for PHE on its inception in 2013, with responsibility for its finance, procurement, ICT, estates, business development and digital functions

Michael developed a commercial strategy that delivered £180m pa in external income whilst supporting the UK life sciences and industrial strategies and was also the Executive Champion for both Disability and Social Mobility.

Speaking about his honorary degree from Northumbria, Michael said:

"This is a profound honour, which I am delighted to receive.  Living in Northumberland, leading a national organisation headquartered in Newcastle and being an alumnus of the University are all things that make this recognition even more special.

“My thanks to the University not just for the award of the honorary doctorate but for the start they gave me to my adult life and the passion my studies here instilled for lifelong learning and development. I am beyond proud." In December 2021 Michael received the Inspiring Leaders Award, one of only 50 awards given to leaders around the world.  The Inspiring Leaders Awards recognise leaders for their humanity and courage, as well as their ability to unleash potential and communicate well.  His achievements were recognised in 2022 when he was awarded the CBE for services to health in Her Majesty the Queen’s final birthday honours list. 

Outside these roles Michael has been a Shareholder Director of Porton Biopharma Limited – a wholly owned government company, a member of the Oversight Board and chair of the Audit Committee of the National Infrastructure Commission, which is an executive agency of HM Treasury.  He was chair of the Audit Committee at the charity Scope and was a member of Council at the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, where he now leads their Sustainability Forum and Chairs a Reference Group developing a strategic approach to investment in prevention.

Last month Michael attended Northumbria Univeristy's annual Careers Fest, where he delivered a keynote speech to ambitious students and recent graduates looking to take the next step in their career.