Ian is a qualified Chartered Certified Accountant with more than 25 years of experience in the higher and further education sectors and membership bodies, both in the UK and internationally.
Ian joined the College in 2024 and previously had strategic responsibility for corporate services, which includes finance, procurement, facilities and governance. Most recently he has led the College as our interim CEO.
Joanne Shaw, Chair, Board of Trustees said:
I am delighted to confirm Ian as CEO, after a wide-ranging external search. Since joining the College, he has demonstrated highly effective leadership and shown the value he will bring, supporting our members, team and College mission. His strong background in finance, education and membership, and his dedication to RCPCH’s strategy, together with his ability to improve operational performance will enable RCPCH to thrive in a challenging and changing environment.
Professor Steve Turner, President of RCPCH said:
I am delighted that we have appointed Ian as our new Chief Executive Officer following a competitive recruitment process that included spending time with children and young people. I have worked with Ian for the last 18 months during his time as Executive Director of Finance and Corporate Services and then Interim CEO, and I know he has the expertise, vision and passion to lead our College, staff and members into the next 30 years.
Ian Parrett, CEO of RCPCH said:
It is a privilege to become the CEO of an organisation that has a strong commitment to supporting professionals working in paediatrics and improving child health. Over the past 18 months, I have worked with some amazing colleagues, members, trustees and partners and I’m really looking forward to building on that as we look forward to the next phase of the College’s exciting strategy.
About Ian Parrett
Ian joined the College in October 2024 and led strategic responsibility for Corporate Services which includes the areas of finance, procurement, facilities, governance and income diversification. As of January 2026, he was interim Chief Executive Officer and subsequently Chief Executive Officer from April 2026.
He is a qualified Chartered Certified Accountant with more than 25 years of experience in the higher and further education sectors both in the UK and internationally. Prior to joining RCPCH, he was Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer at the London Institute of Banking & Finance (LiBF) and was a board member of Writtle University prior to its merger with Anglia Ruskin University.