Simon Ross

Simon spent eight years (2009-2016) as manager of a Ministry of Health analytical team focussed on publishing and distributing data from the Ministry’s National Collections and managing the privacy aspects of sharing identifiable health information. In 2017 Simon moved into the role of Lead Data Steward for the Ministry of Health focused on data governance and stewardship. This role took a whole of organisation view of what the Ministry needs to do to manage its data as an asset to help improve health outcomes, while protecting the privacy and confidentiality interests of New Zealanders.

Since then Simon has led the team that developed and published the Data and Information Strategy for Health and Disability 2021 and taken the lead in implementing that strategy through New Zealand’s recent health reforms. Simon is on secondment to Stats NZ from his substantive role as Manager of Data Governance at Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand.