Elizabeth (Liz) Williams
Values-driven system leader in learning disabilities, autism and mental health.
Liz is a master's-qualified strategic leader with extensive director-level experience across health and social care, specialising in learning disabilities, autism and mental health. She has a proven track record of leading transformational change and quality improvement across the statutory and independent sectors - at local, regional and national levels, including with the Department of Health, CQC and the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch.
Accredited Quality Improvement Senior Coach (Institute for Healthcare Improvement) and graduate of the Nye Bevan (2019) and Peloton (2021) system leadership programmes.
Currently Director of NHS Strategy and Quality at Psicon, a specialist health and social care organisation, focused on embedding quality and innovation across commissioned and directly provided services.
Contributes to national policy - part of the round-table group supporting successive governments in writing statutory guidance for the Autism Act and Down Syndrome Act.
Recent and notable work
-
PsiconDirector of NHS Strategy and Quality (Feb 2025 - Present) - strategic leadership role within a specialist health and social care organisation, embedding quality and innovation across commissioned and directly provided services.
-
Surrey System - LD, Autism & Mental HealthJoint Strategic Commissioning Convener (2022-2025). Led pan-system strategic transformation; closed a 55-bedded hospital in 5 weeks and repatriated 34 patients; secured £1m NHSE investment; increased LD annual health checks from 43% to over 80%; secured £6.3m DWP bid for employment support. HSJ Partnership Award (Silver) for addressing health inequalities.
-
Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership TrustInterim Director of Transformation (2020-2022). Board-level role shaping organisational strategy and financial sustainability; developed fast-track processes; co-led LD&A strategic transformation across two ICSs; secured additional Long Term Plan funding.
-
Oxford Health NHS Foundation TrustTransition Programme Director & Service Director (2016-2020). Transitioned services from Southern Health to Oxford Health; achieved substantial assurance audit and improved CQC ratings; drove down inpatient admissions by 87%. System SRO for LD&A LTP implementation across multi-agency ICS footprint.
-
Cambian GroupClinical Services Director (2014-2016). Achieved the first and second Outstanding CQC ratings for hospitals for people with learning disabilities in the sector; standardised restrictive practices across settings.
-
NHS Midlands & East, NHS East of England, LB Brent, Barking & DagenhamStrategic Commissioner and Programme Manager (2008-2012). Regional LD/Autism lead; Valuing People Now and Autism Act implementation; managed £100m budget; delivered QIPP targets and regional commissioning strategies.
Roles held
- Senior Associate, Health Dynamics
- Director of NHS Strategy and Quality, Psicon (2025-Present)
- Joint Strategic Commissioning Convener, Surrey System (2022-2025)
- Interim Director of Transformation, Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership Trust (2020-2022)
- Transition Programme Director & Service Director, Oxford Health NHS FT (2016-2020)
- Clinical Services Director, Cambian Group (2014-2016)
- Business Development Director, Cambian Group East of England (2012-2014)
- Advisor, Healthcare Services Safety Investigation Body (2019-Present)
- Professional Advisor, Care Quality Commission (2011-Present)
- Director (Voluntary), Inclusion East CIC (2011-2016)
- MSc (Higher degree)
- Quality Improvement Senior Coach - Institute for Healthcare Improvement
- Nye Bevan Leadership Programme - NHS Leadership Academy (2019)
- Peloton System Leadership Programme (2021)
- Lecturer, BSc Learning Disability Studies - Havering College
- Associate Lecturer (Psychology) - Open University
- GCSE Psychology Tutor - Havering Adult Learning
Working through a mental health, LD or autism challenge?
Liz takes an initial conversation directly and will tell you honestly whether Health Dynamics is the right partner, or point you towards someone better placed.