The Isle of Wight council has appointed a new Director of Public Health to lead the service as it transitions to full independence.
Kate Harvey will take on the statutory role following a national recruitment process. She will join the council’s senior leadership team in the coming months.
Strengthening local public health leadership
Earlier this year, the council’s Cabinet decided not to renew the longstanding partnership with Hampshire County Council for public health services beyond August 2025.
This decision reflects the council’s aim to deliver a service shaped by the needs of the Island’s communities, improve health outcomes and provide stronger local leadership.
Kate brings extensive experience in health protection, health improvement and partnership work with the NHS, local authorities and the voluntary sector. Her career has focused on reducing health inequalities and improving the conditions for good health.
She said,
“I am delighted to be joining the Isle of Wight council at such an important time for the Public Health service. The opportunity to lead a locally focused, place-based approach to health and wellbeing is one I truly value.
“I look forward to working with colleagues across the council and with our many partners to ensure we deliver the best possible public health outcomes for Island residents.”
A growing team with a clear focus
As Director, Kate will lead an expanding team of specialists in the council’s strengthened Public Health structure. This is designed to ensure robust leadership and continual service improvement.
Wendy Perera, chief executive of the council, said,
“We would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Simon Bryant, Director of Public Health for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, for his dedicated leadership over many years. Simon has played an instrumental role in shaping and guiding the Island’s public health function, providing stability, expertise and strong partnership working throughout his tenure.”
She added,
“We look forward to welcoming Kate to the senior management team at the council. Her substantial knowledge and skills will lead the way in shaping a service tailored precisely to the needs of those it supports.
“Putting our residents and our community at the heart of what we do is essential to providing an excellent service for them. In Kate, we have an inspirational director who is committed to driving forward our vision, with a passion to support our communities into the future.”
A positive step for the future
Councillor Debbie Andre, Cabinet member for adult social care and public health, welcomed the appointment. She said,
“There are some challenging issues to deal with in the coming months, but the appointment of Kate means we will be in an excellent place to address these issues. Kate brings the right mix of leadership, experience, and passion to help us deliver excellent public health outcomes and ensure that we are responsive to the Island’s specific needs.”
In conversation with Kate Harvey
Kate grew up on the Isle of Wight and expressed her excitement about returning.
“I am originally from the Isle of Wight and am thrilled to be returning to work in a place so dear to my heart.
“After starting my career in the voluntary sector, I’ve worked in senior public health roles in Local Government and the NHS for over 10 years, in London, Dorset and most recently Southampton. I also worked closely with the University of Southampton to support the creation and use of high-quality evidence to inform decisions that can improve health and reduce inequalities.
“This breadth of experience will be invaluable on the Island. Working together for the residents that we serve offers the best potential for the Island to become a fairer and healthier place for all.”
Looking ahead, she said,
“I’m very much looking forward to working with residents, communities and colleagues within and outside of the council to improve health and wellbeing.
“The strength of our local Public Health team and legacy of the partnership with Hampshire, mean that it is an ideal time to be launching the Island’s own public health service.”
Kate added,
“I’m particularly excited about the opportunities to work with residents and the communities that are the heart of the Island to improve the building blocks for good health and reduce inequalities.”
Tackling Island-specific challenges
Kate acknowledged the Island’s strong sense of community but also noted the health inequalities that still exist.
She said,
“The beautiful Island has many strong communities, a vibrant voluntary sector and clear sense of place. Despite so many strengths, not everyone has the same opportunity for good health and wellbeing.
“Providing the Island’s own public health leadership is an exciting opportunity to work more closely with residents, communities and local partners to improve the building blocks for good health and reduce inequalities so that the Island can be a fairer and healthier place for all.”
Next steps
Kate is expected to take up the post at the end of August 2025, allowing for a smooth handover as the partnership with Hampshire comes to an end.
