New North Yorkshire Council Health and Adult Services Director Revealed

People will be placed at the heart of health and care services in the county to support them to “live well and independently” for longer, according to a vision set out by the new corporate director for health and adult services at North Yorkshire Council.

Abigail Barron, who is currently the council’s assistant director for service development, will take over the role from Richard Webb, who has been appointed City of York Council’s new chief executive.

North Yorkshire has a population of approximately 627,629, according to the latest data from the Office of National Statistics.

However, North Yorkshire has a higher than average older demographic with 25.67 per cent of residents aged over 65, compared to 18.69 per cent in England. North Yorkshire Council spent £277 million on health and adult services in 2025/26, which is 37 per cent of the local authority’s total budget of £746.2m.

With a strong track record of leadership, Mrs Barron has worked for local government and the NHS for almost three decades. She is keen to build on the great work already under way, ensuring that residents who need help with daily living can access the right support when they need it.

She said:

“My vision is for us to work with our partners to ensure people lead fulfilling lives within their own communities. My focus will be on having a strong prevention offer, supporting carers and ensuring our services are joined up and responsive to what residents tell us matters most to them.

“In the first six to 12 months, I would like to spend time listening to residents, colleagues and partners so we can build a future which is grounded in real experience.”

North Yorkshire Council leader, Cllr Carl Les, said:

"I would like to extend my personal congratulations to Abi. I look forward to her playing a major part in the council’s future, delivering on our priorities to benefit the communities across the county."

The appointment of the new director comes just over three months after North Yorkshire Council was recognised for the quality of its work having been rated “good” by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) following an inspection of its adult and social care services last year.

Acknowledging the significant financial pressures facing the health and adult social care sector and to carry forward the strong foundations already in place, Mrs Barron said:

“The recent outcome of the CQC reflects the hard work and dedication of our teams and wider partners to support our residents well and it has given us a great platform on which to build.

“At the same time, we can’t ignore the financial pressures facing the sector. My approach will be to focus on ensuring people can receive the advice and support they need locally and in a preventative way, therefore supporting people to remain independent for as long as possible.”

North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for health and adult services, Cllr Michael Harrison, said:

“Congratulations to Abi who brings with her years of experience and passion to lead the service.

“We cover England’s largest county and are responsible for delivering and commissioning public health and social care across vast rural areas, market towns and villages.

“I look forward to continuing to work with Abi as we focus on supporting residents to live healthier and more independent lives.”

North Yorkshire Council’s chief executive, Richard Flinton, said:

“I am delighted Abi will be joining our corporate leadership team following a rigorous and highly-competitive recruitment process.

“She brings extensive knowledge and experience to the role, offering a deep understanding of health and adult social care; essential for the delivery of high‑quality services and tackling the challenges the service faces.

“I look forward to working with her and together we will endeavour to deliver the very best outcomes for the residents of North Yorkshire.”

Mrs Barron is likely to start her new role next month subject to the approval of statutory processes.

Paying tribute to her predecessor, she said:

“Richard leaves an impressive legacy. His commitment to partnerships, compassion and doing the right thing for residents has set a high bar.”

“I am genuinely delighted to be appointed. It’s such a privilege to take on a role which has such a direct impact on our communities across North Yorkshire.”