Chair
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- Employer:
- Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust
- Location:
- Liverpool
- Remuneration:
- £50,000 per annum for a time commitment of 2/3 days per week (on average) of
- Closing date:
- 9am Monday 19th October 2026
- Job Ref:
- GSe132607
Associated documents
Description
Few opportunities exist to shape the future of healthcare for children and young people on the scale of Alder Hey.
Our ambition extends far beyond the walls of our innovative hospital. We are already one of Europe’s leading children’s hospitals, recognised for outstanding care, groundbreaking research, innovation and its unwavering commitment to children, young people and families. Our ambition is to create a healthier, happier and fairer future where every child and young person can achieve their full potential.
After seven successful years as Chair, Dame Jo Williams will shortly complete her term, and we are now seeking an exceptional successor. As our next Chair, you will help lead the organisation through a pivotal and exciting chapter. Building on a strong culture of compassion, inclusion and high performance, you will provide strategic leadership to our Board, support and challenge the Executive, and help ensure Alder Hey fulfils its potential as a world-leading children’s health organisation.
This role is about more than governance. It is about influence, partnership and purpose. You will help position Alder Hey as a trusted voice locally, nationally and internationally, strengthening relationships across the NHS, local government, academia, industry, charities and wider communities. You will champion innovation, support our growing research and digital ambitions, and help us expand our impact through collaboration, education and system leadership.
We are seeking an exceptional leader with the credibility, judgement and emotional intelligence to lead a highly regarded organisation while helping us navigate the opportunities and complexities of a changing healthcare landscape. You will bring the ability to build trust, foster productive partnerships and create the conditions in which others can thrive. Most importantly, you will share our belief that leadership is about enabling others to succeed and improving outcomes for children and families.
We are seeking candidates who are inspired by our purpose, offer experience that supports our mission and values, and bring fresh perspectives, curiosity and a commitment to inclusive leadership.
To learn more about these roles and the process, please visit our dedicated recruitment website by clicking Apply and contact Helen Barkham helen.barkham@gatenbysanderson.com, Robin Staveley or Emily Smith emily.smith@gatenbysanderson.com.
Closing date: 9am Monday 19th October 2026
Stakeholder engagement sessions (virtual): Monday 23rd November 2026
Final interviews (in person): Tuesday 24th November 2026
To view the job description and person specification, please scroll to the bottom of the page, tick to agree to the privacy policy, then click 'Continue to full details'.
How to Apply
- Please submit an up to date copy of your CV, along with a Supporting Statement that addresses the criteria set out in the person specification, using examples to demonstrate how you meet the essential requirements.
- A completed fit and proper person form – the template can be downloaded from the same place as the job description.
- Detail any employment or education gaps.
- You should provide the names, positions, organisations, and contact details for your referees, which must be your line managers and include your current and most recent employer. The referees should cover at least two roles as the minimum. Please note, should you be appointed, you will be required to provide references covering your last 6 years of employment as per the new NHS Fit and Proper Person regulations. Where there have been gaps in employment, this six year period will be extended accordingly. Referees will only be contacted for those proceeding to the final stage - we will always gain your permission before we contact referees.
- Let us know any difficulty you may have with the indicative timetable.
- Check that your contact details are correct before you submit.
Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an automated email to confirm that you have applied. If you do not receive this email, please make contact with GatenbySanderson.
Acceptable use of AI
Candidates may use AI tools to support proofreading, editing and presentation. However, all application materials should represent the candidate's own experience, perspectives and leadership thinking. We are seeking original and authentic responses, and applicants should ensure that any submission reflects their own analysis, judgement and vision for the role.