We have a specific role in appointing and supporting NHS Trust Chairs and Non-executive Directors which does not apply to Foundation Trusts. These are public appointments made by NHS England. NHS Trust Chairs and Non-executive Directors are expected to undertake the roles and responsibilities described and agreed with NHS England. We also have a specific role in appointing chairs of Integrated Care Boards whose roles and responsibilities were agreed nationally.  

Contents

• Remuneration and expenses
• Indemnity
• Resignations
• Suspension and removal from office

Chairs and Non-executive Directors should contact our Non-executive Appointments team with any queries, or to notify them of any changes to their situation or connections during the period of appointment.

Appointment information – Sets out important information about the terms and conditions under which our public appointments are made.

Remuneration and expenses

The level of remuneration paid to the Chairs and Non-executive Directors of Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) and NHS trusts is set by the Secretary of State for Health.

Current rates of remuneration payable to chairs

All NHS provider trusts are allocated to a group dependent on their turnover. The Chair and Non-executive Director remuneration structure sets out a range of remuneration for Chairs based on this turnover:

Although the remuneration structure was published in 2019 the staging process to increase the remuneration for NHS Trust Chairs only began from 1st April 2021.  From this date, all Chairs should all be paid at the lower quartile associated with the relevant range. From 1st April 2022 all chairs should all be paid at the median value associated with the relevant range.  Variation outside the remuneration structure and the agreed staging process is limited to exceptional cases in the most complex and challenged situations.

Current rates of remuneration payable to Non-executive Directors

Non-executive Director remuneration is set at £13,000.

Trusts also have local discretion to pay an additional of £2,000 to selected individuals in recognition of designated extra responsibilities. This is restricted to up to two non-executive directors (for groups 1 to 3) and three non-executive directors (for groups 4 and 5).   Trusts have local discretion to apply this, as required, within the maximum financial value associated with the trust’s designated group (that is £4,000 for trusts in groups 1 to 3 and £6,000 for those in groups 4 and 5).

Notwithstanding the discretion afforded to them, it is anticipated that NHS foundation trusts will also demonstrate consistency with the provisions of the aligned Chair and Non-executive Director remuneration structure.

Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has determined that chairs and non-executives are liable to pay income tax on their remuneration under Schedule E and Class 1 National Insurance Contributions (NIC). As a result, any tax liability and NIC will be deducted at source under the PAYE scheme. It isn’t possible for chairs and non-executives to be paid their remuneration gross, unless the HMRC issues a nil tax code. It is for individuals to make any such personal arrangements with HMRC.

Expenses

NHS Chairs and Non-executive Directors are entitled to claim expenses for travel, subsistence and other legitimate expenditure needed to perform their role effectively. They are also entitled to receive expenses for all legitimate travel costs from home to any place visited on Trust business and back to home again at the prevailing mileage rates.  How this is best achieved should be determined locally.   Rates are set by the Secretary of State for Health and mirror the rates set under Agenda for Change (AfC).  These are detailed in Annex 17 of the NHS terms and conditions of service handbook.

All legitimate expenditure necessarily incurred on Trust business should be paid in line with local practice, via the local payroll system with tax deducted at source.  We cannot advise on tax issues so any queries on these arrangements should be taken up with the host trust or HMRC and / or personal tax advisers.  On no account must subsistence claims include the provision of alcohol.

Indemnity

NHS Trusts can indemnify Chairs and Non-executive Directors who have ‘acted honestly and in good faith’ against personal liability incurred whilst carrying out their duties. This indemnity may also be extended to individual members of committees with delegated powers to make decisions or take actions on behalf of the board.

• Personal liability of non-executives
  

Resignations

Suspension and removal from office

We have the power to suspend or remove Chairs of Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) and Chairs and Non-executive Directors of NHS Trusts from office.