Sue Lacey Bryant, national lead for NHS Knowledge and Library Services, has been appointed as chair of the CILIP board of trustees, having joined the board as trustee in January 2020. She takes over from John Trevor-Allen, who completed his term of office as chair at the end of 2021. John was appointed as vice president of CILIP at the beginning of 2022.

Sue is an experienced leader in the library, information and knowledge management community. She currently leads the implementation of the NHS-wide Knowledge for Healthcare strategy alongside a range of initiatives focused on leveraging knowledge and information to drive improvement in patient-centred care.

Sue was senior programme manager for the Topol Review, the far-reaching technology review led by Professor Eric Topol. She also commissioned the CILIP-led technology review of The impact of AI, machine learning, automation and robotics on the information profession, which was conducted by Dr Andrew Cox of the iSchool at the University of Sheffield.

Sue’s career has spanned a wide range of knowledge and information-focused roles across the NHS, including working as an information consultancy and as director of a clinical commissioning group. In recognition of her leadership in the profession, Sue was awarded the CILIP Knowledge and Information Management Walford Award in 2018.

Speaking about her appointment, Sue commented, “I am pleased to be taking up the chair of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) at this critical time. The publication of ‘We Are CILIP’, the new 5-year strategy and action plan, marks the opening of a new chapter for our professional body.

My career to date has focused on harnessing the power of information to improve people’s lives, and I believe passionately in the vital role of information professionals in our increasingly digital society. I am looking forward to working with the dedicated CILIP staff, our talented trustee board and our active volunteer community to drive CILIP forward.”

Responding to Sue’s appointment, CILIP CEO Nick Poole, commented, “We are lucky to have an information professional leader of Sue’s standing taking up the helm of our professional body.

She brings considerable expertise in digital transformation, workforce development and unlocking the power of information and knowledge for service improvement – exactly the strategic insight and expertise we need in order to continue to champion the work of information professionals in all sectors. We are looking forward to working with Sue in the years to come.”