Published 26 May 2026
Sir Robert Francis, IBCA’s Interim Chair, will leave IBCA at the end of November as part of his retirement plans.
Statement from Sir Robert Francis:
I would like to share an update regarding my role as Interim Chair of the Infected Blood Compensation Authority. My current term is set to conclude on 22 November 2026, and after careful consideration, I have decided this is the right time for me to retire from the commitment required by this important role. Therefore, I will not be seeking reappointment.
With IBCA now firmly established and on the path to delivering compensation as quickly, fairly, and compassionately as possible, I believe this is the right time to hand over leadership. As IBCA moves onto its next phase, it is vital to have a permanent Chair who can provide long-term continuity and lead this work to its conclusion. The recruitment process for a permanent successor will begin shortly. Please be assured that my full focus remains entirely on our vital work until my departure.
While I have only served as Interim Chair for two years, my involvement with the scheme began much earlier. It has been approximately five years since I was first asked to propose a framework for the compensation scheme in 2021. Like many others, I initially had a limited understanding of the profound suffering caused by this terrible scandal. That changed when I met the individuals who were kind enough to share their experiences with me; their stories directly informed the recommendations in my 2022 report. It was clear to me then, as it is now, that only substantial compensation could begin to remedy these wrongs and acknowledge the decades during which their plight was insufficiently recognised. I remain convinced that regaining the trust of the community in IBCA depends entirely on their continued involvement in shaping the processes by which awards are made.
Looking back to 2024, I was honoured to be asked to chair IBCA. I will admit that I initially hesitated; the scheme announced at the time did not fully align with my earlier recommendations, and the community had not yet been consulted. Ultimately, I agreed to take on this role because I recognised the overriding priority for the community was to receive the awards to which they were entitled as quickly as possible. However, it was equally vital that they were consulted before the proposals were finalised. I was subsequently able to lead that consultation, which resulted in substantive and meaningful changes to the scheme moving forward.
It was against this background that David Foley (CEO) and I came together to establish IBCA. It has been an enormous privilege to engage with so many members of the infected blood community during this process. Your lived experiences and honest insights have been instrumental in shaping IBCA and the services we provide; it has been a profound honour to work alongside you.
We set out to build an organisation defined by independence of judgement, fairness, transparency and compassion. I am proud of the foundations that we have built. This includes launching an online registration service so that those eligible to claim, including people not previously registered with an Infected Blood Support Scheme, can register their intent to claim compensation. Our commitment to being led by experience and expertise is reflected in the establishment of the Community Advisory Panel and our ongoing recruitment of specialists for a dedicated Clinical Advisory Panel. Furthermore, we have solidified our promise of transparency by holding our public Board meeting in February 2026, a practice that will continue quarterly to provide direct insight into decision-making. Throughout, IBCA have remained deeply engaged with the community through various UK-wide forums and drop-in sessions, ensuring we consistently listen to, act upon, and answer the vital questions and concerns of those we serve.
To date, we have made over 3,300 compensation offers to people across all groups, with over £2.1 billion in compensation already paid. This represents a significant milestone in our commitment to the community.
Our work has not been easy. The stories we hear daily are sobering reminders of an injustice that has endured for far too long. As I prepare to move on later this year, I do so with absolute confidence that the dedicated staff at IBCA will continue to deliver compensation with the utmost care and empathy until this vital mission is complete.
I am profoundly grateful to everyone I have worked alongside; this has truly been one of the most meaningful roles of my professional career.
With my very best wishes,
Sir Robert Francis
Interim Chair, Infected Blood Compensation Authority