Retirement of Roger Gross, Regional Director of the Health Protection Agency, London Region

11 September 2008

Dr Roger Gross will be retiring from his post as Regional Director of the Health Protection Agency's London Region on 12 September 2008. Dr Brian McCloskey, Head of Special Projects in the Chief Executive's Office, has been appointed as his successor.

Brian McCloskey has been with the Agency since 2003 and brings with him a huge amount of highly relevant experience and expertise. He has been involved at national level in the Agency's response to the London bombings in 2005, the Buncefield Oil Depot fire in 2005 and the Polonium-210 incident in 2006, as well as many incidents with national government involvement. His most recent work has been as the Agency's planning lead for the London 2012 Olympics, and he plans to retain this role.

Of his new appointment Brian McCloskey says: "Having worked for the Agency as their lead on some very high profile incidents, I feel well prepared to assume the challenge of this Regional Directorship, and I hope to build on Roger's hard work and successes in the London Region".

Roger Gross will be returning to the HPA in a new role as Local and Regional Services Head of Quality Systems Development and Innovation and says: "I am delighted that my retirement from five years as Regional Director has not signaled the end of my long career with the Agency, and I am looking forward to starting this exciting new role.

Notes to editors:
Media enquiries to the Health Protection Agency London Press Office - 020 7759 2824

Last reviewed: 11 September 2008