East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust, Chair
The East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) is one of the largest ambulance services in the UK, serving a population of around 6.2 million people across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire. With a dedicated workforce of over 5,000 staff and 1,200 volunteers, we provide 24/7 emergency and urgent care services, as well as non-emergency patient transport, to communities that range from densely populated urban centres to remote rural and coastal areas. Ours is an organisation that is present at some of the most critical moments in people’s lives, and we are committed to delivering safe, high quality care, supporting our workforce and building a sustainable future for the service.
We are now seeking an exceptional individual to serve as Chair of the Trust at an important point in our development. This is a significant public leadership role and an opportunity to guide the strategic direction of a complex and high profile organisation that sits at the heart of the health and care system across the East of England. We have a bold and ambitious strategy “2025 to 2030”, and as our new Chair, you will lead the Board in realising our long term vision and strategic objectives, ensuring robust governance and holding the executive team to account for the delivery of safe, effective and financially sustainable services.
Working in close partnership with the Chief Executive, you will set the tone for the organisation, modelling integrity, openness and respect. You will ensure that the Board operates as a cohesive and effective team, creating the conditions for constructive challenge, thoughtful debate and collective decision making. You will support and appraise Non-Executive Directors, oversee the appointment and development of Board members, and ensure that the Trust meets the highest standards of probity and accountability in line with the Nolan Principles and NHS values.
We are looking for a leader with substantial board level experience, perhaps including previous experience as a Chair or Non-Executive Director in a large and complex organisation. You will bring a strong understanding of governance, risk and assurance, and be financially literate, able to balance quality, operational performance and the effective stewardship of public funds. An appreciation of the regulatory and constitutional framework of the NHS, and of the opportunities and challenges presented by system working, would be an asset.
You will have experience of leading organisations through change and of overseeing the delivery of long term strategy in demanding circumstances. Ambulance services operate in a context of rising demand, workforce pressures and financial constraint. We are therefore seeking someone who combines strategic perspective with sound judgement, resilience and the ability to maintain focus on what matters most: patient safety, clinical quality and the experience of our staff.
A clear and demonstrable commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion is essential. You will understand the importance of addressing health inequalities across our diverse region and of ensuring that the Trust is an inclusive employer where all staff feel valued and heard. You will also bring the ability to build trusted relationships with partners across Integrated Care Boards, NHS providers, local authorities and community organisations, representing the Trust with credibility both regionally and nationally.
Wherever you have gained your experience, whether in the NHS or in another large public, private or voluntary sector organisation, you will demonstrate a genuine commitment to public service and to improving outcomes for patients and communities. Your perspective, independence and ability to offer both support and constructive challenge will be central to the continued development of the Trust.
We believe that the best boards reflect the communities they serve. We particularly welcome applications from women, people from minority ethnic communities and disabled people, who are under-represented in these roles.
This is a significant and meaningful opportunity to contribute to an organisation that makes a tangible difference every day, and if your values and ambition align with ours, we encourage you to speak with Thomas Patterson from our partner Alumni Global on thomas.patterson@alumniglobal.com or 07979 339 151.
Key dates
| Closing date for applications* | 10 April 2026 |
| Stakeholder event & final interviews | 27 April 2026 |
| Proposed start date | tbc |
*Please visit Chair, East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust – Alumni Global to apply.