Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an exceptional leader to join us as Chair of the Board and Council of Governors. This is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced leader with a strategic mindset, a commitment to excellence and continuous improvement, and the ability to bring broad perspectives to delivering high quality, sustainable services to shape the future of one of the most dynamic and innovative NHS providers in the country.

At Berkshire Healthcare, we are proud to be rated as “Outstanding” by the CQC. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our staff engagement scores, which are among the highest nationally. While the fiscal context for the coming years is challenging, we are financially stable, delivering on our planned budget, which enables us to continuously invest in our services and people. Our anti-racism work underpins our commitment to equality, and we foster an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered. Our dedication to diversity and inclusion is at the heart of everything we do.

Our vision is to be “A great place to get care, a great place to give care.” Our core values of Caring, Committed, and Working Together are embedded in every aspect of our work. We operate in two ICSs, are a Global Digital Exemplar, and our Board is known for its stability and its genuine commitment to living the values of the organisation.

As Chair, you will provide strategic leadership to the Trust, ensuring effective governance, high quality care, and long-term sustainability. You will:

• Lead the Board and Council of Governors in shaping the Trust’s vision, values, and strategic direction to ensure outstanding and sustainable healthcare services are delivered to our population.
• Foster a culture of learning, innovation, and continuous improvement, ensuring that the Trust is patient centred and focused on quality, safety, and performance.
• Ensure robust governance, risk management, and internal controls that uphold the highest standards of accountability and transparency.
• Provide oversight and support to the Chief Executive and Executive Directors, ensuring strategic objectives are met.
• Act as an ambassador for the Trust, developing strong relationships with stakeholders, including NHS partners, regulators, community organisations, and staff.
• Promote inclusivity and champion diversity, ensuring that the Trust reflects the communities it serves and provides equitable care to all.
• Experience in leading and guiding organisations facing challenging impacts from substantial external changes to the Trust’s operating environment.

This is a critical leadership position, requiring a balance of strategic thinking, governance expertise, and a deep commitment to the NHS and its values. You will bring senior leadership experience in a complex organisation, and while previous NHS experience is not essential, you must demonstrate:

• A track record of strategic leadership and transformation at board level.
• Experience in governance, risk management, and financial oversight.
• The ability to constructively challenge, influence decisions, and foster consensus in a collaborative environment.
• A deep commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, with experience in fostering an inclusive organisational culture.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage effectively with a broad range of stakeholders.

We are committed to creating an inclusive environment and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those from underrepresented groups such as global majority, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ communities. We hope to hear from both established and aspirant NEDs and will provide full training and onboarding for the successful candidate.

At Berkshire Healthcare, you will have the opportunity to work with a high-performing, supportive Board in a Trust that values innovation, collaboration, and excellence. This is your chance to contribute to the strategic leadership of an organisation making a real difference in the lives of its patients, staff, and communities.

We are proud to offer a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates from global majority backgrounds, disabled candidates, and former UK military veterans. We believe in providing equal opportunities for all and are committed to supporting the career development of underrepresented groups.

If you are ready to bring your leadership skills, financial acumen and expertise, and commitment to high-quality care to an organisation that values its people as much as its patients, please contact Thomas Patterson at Alumni Global on thomas.patterson@alumniglobal.com or +44 7970 339 151.

For more information and to apply, please visit this microsite to search https://alumniglobal.com/job/chair-berkshire-healthcare

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