Our LaingBuisson health and social care advisory boards bring together experienced leaders with backgrounds in policy, research, investment, commissioning and delivery to help guide our work and strengthen our impact. Board members provide independent insight, strategic advice, and practical expertise drawn from years of experience supporting care systems, patients and service users. Their diverse perspectives ensure that our approach remains informed, forward-thinking, and grounded in real-world practice.
On this page, you can learn more about each member of the Advisory Board and the knowledge and experience they contribute to shaping our work.
Advisory board - healthcare
Dr Ian Gargan
Dr Ian Gargan joined PHIN as Chief Executive in September 2022.
Under his leadership, PHIN has undergone significant transformation and progress. In October 2024, PHIN delivered Stage 1 (bronze) of the Competition & Market Authority's (CMA) Order and added the second stage (silver) in September 2025. Gold will be delivered in June 2026. Maintaining the Gold standard levels of data will then be an ongoing process.
With his extensive background as a medical doctor and qualified psychologist, Dr Gargan brings a unique perspective to the table, combining medical expertise with a data-driven approach. This combination of skills has proven invaluable in leading organisations focused on improving patient outcomes in both public and private healthcare.
Fiona Booth
Fiona Booth is a London-based stakeholder engagement and public affairs specialist with extensive leadership experience across the healthcare, policy and non-profit sectors. She currently works as a consultant, advising organisations on stakeholder strategy, communications and sector engagement.
Previously, she held senior roles at Healthcode Ltd, including Head of External Affairs & Stakeholder Engagement, and served as Chief Executive of both the Association of Independent Healthcare Organisations and the parliamentary think tank, Hansard Society.
Fiona brings over two decades of expertise in building partnerships, shaping programmes, and driving sector-wide collaboration.
David Hare
David is the Chief Executive of the Independent Healthcare Providers Network (IHPN), and has consolidated industry representation and grown membership from just over 20 members to over 120 today.
Before joining IHPN, David helped to establish a top 10 UK political communications company and he has also been the Director of Strategy for a major trade association in the healthcare infrastructure sector. David regularly contributes to the policy debate about the role of private healthcare in the UK through the media and Parliamentary Select Committee appearances and engages extensively with government, Non-Departmental Public Bodies and regulators across all four nations of the UK on behalf of IHPN members. David was awarded an MBE in the 2023 New Year’s Honours for services to healthcare, particularly during Covid. David was also recognised for the ‘outstanding contribution’ award at the 2022 Laing Buisson Awards for his ‘overwhelmingly positive influence in the health and care sector’.
Advisory board - social care
Daniel Casson
Daniel is a leading consultant in digital transformation within the social care community, with a strong focus on integrating technology to enhance care delivery and efficiency. As Managing Director of Casson Consulting London Ltd, he advises care providers, government and tech providers on embedding digital innovation into their operations.
He has authored reports, including "Cultivating the Seeds of Change in Adult Social Care" for NHS Digital, and co-chaired Public Policy Projects’ (PPP) report on the Future of Care alongside ex-deputy Prime Minister Rt. Hon Damian Green MP. He set up and led Care England’s (the leading UK care body) Digital Special Interest Group, which has gone on to drive sector-wide digital transformation.
James Cuthbert
James is a health and social care commissioner and technologist.
James specialises in commissioning for outcomes, economic modelling, improving performance, reducing costs and integrating services. He is also a programmer, with advanced skills in SQL, business intelligence, statistical forecasting and geographical information systems.
James's current research combines care economics, alternative intelligence and geospatial mapping.
