Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Chair
Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust (BWC) is seeking an exceptional Chair to lead its Board through the next chapter of its development.
As the UK’s only NHS trust bringing together women’s and children’s services within a single organisation, we provide integrated care from pre-conception and maternity services through to neonatal, paediatric, adolescent and specialist children’s care. With more than 641,000 patient contacts every year and a workforce of over 6,000 people, the Trust combines world-class clinical services, internationally recognised research and innovation, and a commitment to tackling some of the country’s most significant health inequalities.
Driven by values of being Ambitious, Brave and Compassionate, the Trust’s vision is to be the nationally and internationally leading voice in women’s and children’s healthcare. The 2026-2030 strategy places outstanding care, innovation, prevention, sustainability and reducing inequalities at the heart of everything it does.
In January 2027, Sir Bruce Keogh will have served nine years as Chair, and we are now seeking to appoint his successor. The Trust is well positioned to influence the future of women’s and children’s healthcare nationally, while continuing to respond to increasing demand, financial pressures, workforce challenges and the need to reduce health inequalities across one of the UK’s most diverse populations.
Working in partnership with the Board, Council of Governors and wide-ranging local, regional and national stakeholders, the successful candidate will provide strategic leadership, ensure the highest standards of governance and help shape a culture where innovation, inclusion and continuous improvement thrive.
We’re looking for an accomplished, values-led leader with the credibility, judgement and strategic insight to chair a large and complex Trust like BWC. You will ideally bring significant Board-level leadership experience as a Chair, Non-Executive Director or Executive within a large and complex organisation and a strong track record of governance, strategic leadership and organisational transformation. You will have the ability to build trusted relationships across organisations and influence diverse stakeholders, have experience of supporting and constructively challenging senior executives to deliver outstanding performance and have a genuine commitment to quality, patient outcomes and public service.
Previous Chair experience and experience within the NHS or wider health and care sector would be advantageous, although we are equally keen to hear from high calibre candidates from other complex sectors who share our values and ambition.
If you’re inspired by the opportunity to shape the future of one of the UK’s leading specialist NHS trusts and make a lasting difference to the lives of women, children and families, we’d love to hear from you.
For a confidential discussion and to apply, please contact our partners at Hunter Healthcare: Jenny Adrian on 07939 250362 or James McLeod on 07842 424530, or email jadrian@hunter-healthcare.com.
Key dates:
- Application deadline: 16 August 2026
- Stakeholder sessions: w/c 28 September 2026
- Interviews: 7 October 2026