Tributes paid to NHS Digital’s ‘simply wonderful’ deputy CEO

NHS Digital has paid tribute to its ‘simply wonderful’ deputy CEO who passed away on August 1.

Pete Rose, who was also the organisation’s chief information security officer (CISO), joined NHS Digital in May 2020, as the country was in the middle of the first wave of Covid-19.

In their obituary for Pete, NHS Digital spoke of his “energising, inspiring” character, adding that he continue to take pride is his work “throughout a gruelling regime of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatment”.

“Most memorable of all Pete’s qualities was his great integrity. He was a man of his word and completely dependable,” the obit said.

“Working with Pete was an energising, inspiring and humbling experience.

“It was immensely important to him to be a colleague who others could trust and rely on at all times. As a result, we leant on him regularly and took great strength from him.”

Simon Bolton, NHS Digital’s interim CEO, also paid tribute to Pete, who he described as “quite simply, a wonderful colleague”.

“He was calm under pressure, incredibly wise and a role model to those around him. We will miss him deeply,” he added.

Prior to joining NHS Digital, Pete previously worked as the director of enterprise services and deputy chief digital, data and technology officer at the Home Office

He also served in the Cabinet Office, held numerous senior roles in the private sector, and started his career in the Royal Air Force, serving in a variety of front-line, engineering and project delivery roles.

NHS Digital’s tribute highlights Pete’s commitment to his role and his impact on the organisation, adding that when he arrived during the first wave of the pandemic “he quickly absorbed responsibility for our service operations, infrastructure, collaboration services and cyber security functions and immediately became a key member of the Covid Gold Command which led the organisation through the pandemic”.

“There is no doubt that his presence significantly strengthened our capability as an organisation and was key to our response to the challenges of last year,” it said.

“Pete led from the front. He was deeply engaged in all aspects of the work of the organisation and had the rare ability to provide both clear strategic vision and astute, pragmatic, operational guidance on the ground.”