Helen Kelly is Chief Nurse at NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB, with a career spanning frontline nursing, public health, and system leadership. With a background in both clinical practice and commissioning, Helen has led major transformation programmes across urgent care, community services, and integrated care systems. She has held senior roles in NHS England and local CCGs, consistently driving improvements in quality, equity, and patient outcomes. Her leadership continues to shape safe and effective care for a diverse population across Birmingham and Solihull.
Helen Kelly qualified as an adult nurse in 1996 at the University of Birmingham. She gained early clinical experience in hospitals across Birmingham, including thoracic HDU and gynaecology.
After completing a degree in Health Promotion and qualifying as a health visitor, she worked in community settings and later earned an MSc in Advanced Practice in 2005.
Helen moved into commissioning at Solihull Care Trust, leading services for children and young people. She then joined NHS England in 2013 as Head of Public Health for Birmingham, Solihull, and the Black Country..
She went on to lead integrated care programmes at Solihull CCG and later Birmingham and Solihull CCG, focusing on urgent and community care. She then became Director of Nursing for Quality Improvement at the Integrated Care Board (ICB), leading system-wide quality and equity work.
In 2024, Helen was appointed Chief Nurse at NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB, where she continues to lead on safe, high-quality, and equitable care.