We believe it is important for an organisations’ senior leadership team to reflect the diverse communities it serves. The Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (RCHT) is working with the NExT Director Scheme to provide a development opportunity for a talented individual who wants to be an NHS non-executive and learn first-hand about the challenges and opportunities associated with being a non-executive director in the NHS today.

There is emphatic evidence that diverse boards make the best decisions. At RCHT we want to take positive action to increase the diversity of our board team. In non-executive roles nationally, we know that people from the local Black Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities, LGBT communities, younger people and those with lived experience of disability are all under-represented.

The 12 month NExT Director programme will give the successful candidate a unique insight into the role and responsibilities of being an NHS non-executive director by supporting senior people in bridging knowledge gaps, for example:

• Operating at board level
• Transitioning from executive to non-executive roles
• Board level exposure in and organisation of huge size and complexity
• Understanding NHS structures and accountability, how the money flows, who the key partners are, where all the regulators fit and the board’s role in quality and safety

You will feel part of the Royal Cornwall Hospitals leadership team and be invited and encouraged to take part in board discussions and in committee debate. You will work with our Corporate team to devise a personalised programme to support you during your placement with us.

Please note this is a development opportunity and not an appointment or employment. It does not entitle you to a position with RCHT or any other Trust at the end of your placement.

The person specification is available in the pack attached (below) and describes the skills, experience and attributes that are required to be considered for this placement as a NExT Director with RCHT.

Application documents

• NExT Director RCHT May25 S3327
• Monitoring form S3327

Key dates

*Please forward your completed application to england.chairsandneds@nhs.net quoting reference S3327

Getting in touch

• We strongly recommend an informal and confidential discussion with David Allen OBE , Chair of the Trust. Please contact Hayley Corley, Executive Assistant to the Chair on rcht.corporategovernance@nhs.net
• NHS England – for general process enquiries contact Mandy Reszczynski by emailing amanda.reszczynski@nhs.net

Related content

• Support to prepare candidates to apply for a non-executive vacancy
• View all current chair and non-executive vacancies 
• Sign up to receive email alerts on the latest vacancies 
• Contact the Senior Appointments and Assessment Team