Partridge joined the
Terrence Higgins Trust in 1985 as the office manager, one of only two full-time paid posts, and became its chief executive in 1991, a role he held for over two decades. Under his leadership, the trust expanded significantly, becoming a national leader in sexual health services, education, advocacy, and policy development. He was instrumental in shifting public attitudes toward
HIV and improving services for those affected. Beyond the
Terrence Higgins Trust, Partridge held several influential roles in healthcare governance and research: •
European AIDS Treatment Group (EATG) – founder member (1992). EATG is a patient-led NGO that advocates for the rights and interests of people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS and related co-infections within Europe. •
Commission for Health Improvement – commissioner and deputy chair (1999 to 2004). CHI was responsible for assessing the performance of
NHS organizations in
England and ensuring the quality of clinical services. •
Healthcare Commission – commissioner and deputy chair (2004–2009). The successor to CHI, the Healthcare Commission was the independent regulator of healthcare in
England, responsible for assessing and reporting on the quality and safety of care provided by NHS and private healthcare services. •
INVOLVE – chair (1998–2011). INVOLVE promoted and supported public involvement in health and social care research, aiming to ensure that research is conducted with or by the public rather than to, about, or for them. •
James Lind Alliance – co-founder (2004) with Sir Iain Chalmers and John Scadding. The alliance facilitates the identification of research priorities shared by patients, carers, and clinicians. •
UK Clinical Research Collaboration (UKCRC) – deputy chair (2004–2021). UKCRC worked to establish a more coordinated approach to clinical research and infrastructure development, aiming to make the UK a world leader in health research. •
Clinical Priorities Advisory Group (CPAG) of NHS England – chair (2013–2022). CPAG advises NHS England on which specialized treatments and services should be prioritized for national commissioning. •
Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) – non-executive director (2013–2016). The HSCIC was the national information and technology delivery organization for health, public health, and social care. In 2016, HSCIC changed its name to
NHS Digital. These roles reflect his broader commitment to evidence-based healthcare, public and patient involvement, and ethical policy development within the NHS and research institutions. == Honours and recognition ==