NHS provider and integrated care board (ICB) pay ranges for the financial year 2026/27 (01/2026)

Published on: 1 July 2026
Effective from: 1 April 2026

This document forms part of the Very senior managers (VSM) pay framework

1. NHS provider organisations 

Director reporting levels 

Provider trusts within a large group model 

Level 1: Chief executive (overall accountable officer) of the main board of the trust or group of trusts. 

Level 2: Usually those main board director posts that report to the chief executive of the main board of the trust or group of trusts. This will include chief executives and managing directors of hospitals or other business units in a group model. Within group models, care should be taken to avoid paying site chief executives or managing directors more than stand-alone chief executives of equivalent-sized organisations. 

Level 3: Usually those other directors or very senior managers (VSM) posts that report to post holders in level 1 or 2, particularly in group settings. In most stand-alone provider trusts (those not currently in a group setting), roles at this level will be remunerated through Agenda for Change (AfC). 

Provider trusts 

Level 1: The chief executive of the trust (overall accountable officer). 

Level 2: Usually those director posts that report to the chief executive of the trust.  

Level 3: Usually those VSM posts that report to post holders in level 2. In most trusts, this level will be remunerated through AfC.  

Level 1: Chief executive officer (CEO) pay ranges

Organisation turnover (£pa)BandMinimum (£pa)Operational Maximum (£pa)Exception zone (£pa)
Up to £250 million     149,520         207,027      223,330
£250 million – £499 million     161,021         230,030      251,246
£500 million – £749 million     184,024         253,033      267,996
£750 million – £1 billion     230,030         264,535      295,912
Over £1 billion     253,033         287,538      318,245

Level 2: Executive directors pay ranges – board directors / executive directors reporting to CEOs

Organisation turnover (£pa)Band Minimum (£pa)Operational Maximum (£pa)Exception zone (£pa) 
Up to £250 million     103,514         161,021      189,831
£250 million – £499 million     115,015         172,523      200,997
£500 million – £749 million     126,517         184,024      212,164
£750 million – £1 billion     138,018         195,526      223,330
Over £1 billion     161,021         212,778      234,497

Level 3: Executive Directors pay ranges – Executive directors reporting to a board director

Organisation turnover (£pa) Band Minimum (£pa)Operational Maximum (£pa)Exception zone (£pa) 
Up to £250 million AfC or EquivalentAfC or EquivalentAfC or Equivalent
£250 million – £499 million AfC or EquivalentAfC or EquivalentAfC or Equivalent
£500 million – £749 million     115,015         138,018      139,582
£750 million – £1 billion     120,767         143,770      150,748
Over £1 billion     126,517         155,271      161,915

2. Integrated care boards

ICB CEO pay ranges

Weighted population BandMinimum (£pa)Operational maximum (£pa) Exception zone (£pa) 
<1 million      195,414         220,539      245,663
1 million – 1.5 million      212,164         237,288      262,413
1.5 million – 2 million     245,663         267,996      290,329
>2 million      279,163         301,496      323,829

ICB executive director pay ranges

Band A and B (<1.5 million weighted population) CFO CNO CMOOther board executives 
Minimum (£pa)         148,515    137,907         137,907      127,857
Operational maximum (£pa)         178,664    166,800         166,800      154,936
Band C and D (>1.5 million weighted population)CFOCNOCMOOther board executives 
Minimum (£pa)         171,964    159,681         159,681      135,115
Operational Maximum (£pa)         203,231    189,831         189,831      176,431