Congratulations to Claire McIver, who has been appointed as Director of Public Health for Cheshire East, and to Dr Rory McGill, who has become the permanent Director of Public Health for Sefton.
Claire has worked in various public health roles for over 20 years, both in the NHS and Local Government, and gained her specialty registration via the portfolio route. As an educational supervisor and informal mentor, Claire works closely with colleagues pursuing specialty registration via the portfolio route, offering guidance, encouragement, and practical insight drawn from her own journey.
She has a particular interest in behaviour change and is passionate about developing the public health workforce. She will also be taking up the role of Deputy Champs Director for Reducing Harm from Alcohol, supporting the lead Champs Director, Debbie Watson.
Claire McIvor, Director of Public Health for Cheshire East
Commenting on her appointment, Claire said:
“It’s a real honour to take on this role in Cheshire East. I’m looking forward to getting to know colleagues and partners across the system, and to building on the great work already underway to improve the health of local communities. Supporting our workforce and working collaboratively will be central to that.
“I would also like to say a massive thank you to Professor Rod Thomson, who has been interim Director of Population Health for Cheshire East and has been a fantastic help while I settle into this role. Rod will be staying with us for a few more months before leaving the Council in June.”
Rory, who has been interim Director of Public Health at Sefton since the departure of Margaret Jones last year, has a PhD in health psychology with years of postdoctoral academic experience in health inequalities research while he was based at the University of Liverpool’s Public Health Department.
He worked as Chair for the Northwest Behavioural Science and Public Health Network, where he established a workforce development programme for the North West. He was also the first non-clinician and early career Consultant to be Associate Postgraduate Dean for NHS England North West with the portfolio area of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. Finally, he also won the Lifetime Achievement Award for the LGBTQIA+ Liverpool City Region Awards in 2025 for his visible leadership and advocacy for sexual and gender minority groups.
Prior to becoming the Director of Public Health for Sefton Council, Rory was a Consultant in Public Health with portfolio oversight including mental health, sexual health and healthcare public health. Since stepping into the interim role, Rory has also taken up the role of lead Champs Director for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention.
Rory McGill, Director of Public Health for Sefton
Speaking about his permanent appointment, Rory said:
“It is a true privilege to be the permanent Director of Public Health for Sefton, an area that is very special to me as I started my journey here as a specialty registrar, working on our borough’s response to COVID-19, to now working closely with the wider team on a range of public health challenges and opportunities.
“I am also delighted to join the Champs Collaborative as one of 10 Directors of Public Health and Population Health and to be taking up my lead role for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention. I am looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together as a system that is committed to improving our population’s health, reducing suicides and tackling inequalities.”
For more information about Claire and Rory or the other Directors of Public Health across Cheshire and Merseyside, visit our website.
