Published 12 November 2026
I want to share an update as my term as Interim Chair of the Infected Blood Compensation Authority concludes on 21 November 2026.
I am pleased that Russell Frith has been appointed Interim Chair, and will take over this role when my term concludes, ensuring continuity in our work. The recruitment process for a permanent successor is now under way, with an appointment expected in the new year.
While I have served as Interim Chair for only two years, my involvement with this scheme began much earlier, when I was first asked to propose a framework for compensation 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 people from this community, who were kind enough to share their experiences with me; their stories directly informed the recommendations in my 2022 report.
I remain convinced that regaining your trust in IBCA depends on your continued involvement in shaping the processes by which awards are made, and on the confidence generated by the compassionate support IBCA staff have shown in this work.
In 2024, I was honoured to be asked to chair IBCA. I will admit that I initially hesitated; the scheme announced at that time did not fully align with my earlier recommendations, and you had not yet been consulted. Ultimately, I agreed to take on this role because I recognised that your overriding priority was to receive the awards you were entitled to as quickly as possible, while it was equally vital that you 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.
It was against this background that David Foley and I came together to establish IBCA. The progress we have made since then would not have been possible without the determination, resilience and hard work of every member of IBCA's staff. Over the past two years, they have helped build, from the ground up, an organisation rooted in independence of judgement, fairness, transparency and compassion. To date, we have made over 3,800 compensation offers to people across all groups, with over £2.3 billion in compensation already paid.
Beyond these figures, IBCA has developed the infrastructure needed to deliver full compensation efficiently. I have every confidence that this momentum will continue, driven by a team deeply committed to providing the redress you have waited so long for.
Our work has not been easy. The stories we encounter daily are profound reminders of an injustice that has endured for far too long. Yet in the compassion IBCA staff bring to each claim, and the integrity behind every decision, I have seen the very best of public service in action.
The coming months will mark the beginning of a new chapter for IBCA. The foundations we have built will provide a steady hand for the journey ahead, and I have every confidence that IBCA will continue to deliver this service with the same compassion and empathy that have defined it from the start.
Thank you for trusting me with this responsibility. It has been a privilege to serve you.
With my very best wishes,
Sir Robert Francis
Interim Chair, Infected Blood Compensation Authority