AN NHS boss who was born in Somerset and spent much of her childhood in Taunton has been named as one of the most influential women in the UK, according to new research.

Amanda Pritchard, the health service's chief executive, is in exalted company alongside the Queen and Nicola Sturgeon.

She came eighth in the list of most influential women in the country based on the number of Google, social media followers, Wikipedia page views and GIFs.

The list was created by the Body Shop.

Somerset County Gazette:

The top ten most influential women in the UK, according to the Body Shop research.

Ms Pritchard has taken up one of the most significant roles in the public sector against the backdrop of the global pandemic and the establishment of integrated care systems.

She has enjoyed a 24-year career in the NHS and is the first woman to hold the top job in the NHS since it was established in 1948.

She has been widely praised for her leadership during the Covid-19 vaccination roll-out.

She was born in Somerset in 1976 when her father John was the youth chaplain and assistant director of eduction in the diocese of Bath and Wells.

In 1980 the family was in Taunton, where he was the priest in charge at Wilton for eight years. He later served as Bishop of Jarrow and then Oxford before his retirement.

Referring to the influential women list, a Body Shop spokesperson said: "‘We loved creating this list and seeing all the amazing women at the top of their fields.

"It’s encouraging to see Amanda Pritchard, the chief executive officer of NHS England, included in this list, especially after the past year which has really shone a light on the heroes of the NHS.

"The Body Shop is proud to champion the amazing women who are influencing their industries and most importantly, the younger generation and future generations.”