Policy Fellow, Population Health Improvement

Dr Mubasshir Ajaz is the Head of Health at the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), where he leads efforts to place health and wellbeing at the centre of regional policy. As executive health lead and advisor to the Mayor, he champions a health in all policies approach, making the case that better housing, skills, transport, and economic growth are essential to improving population health and tackling inequalities.

He has led negotiations with government on health devolution and worked with NHS, local government, business, and community partners to design more integrated models linking health, work, and productivity. His initiatives range from mental health commissions and workplace wellbeing programmes to pilots connecting employment support with primary care, neighbourhood health and a shift towards prevention.

Dr Ajaz’s career spans over two decades across research, public health, and community-led innovation. Early work with cancer hospitals, migrants, and minority health access shaped his commitment to inclusion and system reform. During the pandemic, he co-developed a digital triage solution to reduce pressure on frontline services and helped launch a Community Champions programme to mitigate the unequal impact of COVID-19.

A strong advocate for digital health and the responsible use of emerging technology, he now helps steer the West Midlands Health Tech Innovation Accelerator, promoting ethical, inclusive innovation that improves lives and creates high-growth opportunities for the region.

Dr Ajaz is also a regular speaker at national forums on health devolution, prevention, and health technology, bringing together perspectives on digital transformation, inclusive growth, and the future of public health systems. He currently leads a national collaboration funded by the Health Foundation demonstrating how Strategic Mayoral Authorities can use their levers to improve health and reduce inequalities and is leading work on Public Service Reform for health prevention within the WMCA.

A passionate advocate for prevention, integration, and local leadership, Dr Ajaz continues to shape both regional delivery and national debate on the future of population health, prevention and the role of technology in driving healthier, fairer growth.