Help shape the future of your NHS – become a Non-Executive Director

The NHS is at the heart of our national life, managing 300 million patient interactions a year* and as the UK’s largest employer, with a workforce of 1.5 million, the NHS is both a major economic force and symbol of national pride.

The 10 Year Health Plan has set out a compelling vision for the future of healthcare and we’re building a new generation of non-executive directors (NEDs), with the skills and expertise required to deliver on these plans. These are intellectually stimulating and vital roles, offering the opportunity to:

• Shape organisational strategy and set strategic direction

• Oversee the delivery of healthcare services, upholding the highest standards of quality (which includes outcomes / effectiveness, safety and experience) for patients

• Make a tangible difference to the health and wellbeing of millions

• Enhance your executive or portfolio career and develop non-executive skills

Join the NHS non-executive director talent pool

Our talent pool will equip senior professionals from across a wide range of sectors and skills with the tools and experience to become a future NHS NED. 

Individuals will need to provide independent oversight, constructive challenge, and external insight to enable organisations to deliver the best care for patients and value for money.

We are looking for senior leaders from a range of sectors that best align with the needs of the future NHS with expertise in:

• Clinical

• Customer experience

• Finance and audit

• Operations

• Property and asset management

• Digital, technology and AI

• Data and analytics

• Strategy 

• Change management

• Workforce and people management

In addition to specific expertise in those areas, all applicants must have the ability to:

• Provide independent judgement, external insight, and constructive challenge at board or senior leadership level

• Understand and scrutinise data, in particular finance and quality data, to inform robust decision‑making

• Support and challenge senior leaders to ensure plans and strategies are ambitious, credible, and deliverable

• Build strong, effective internal and external relationships, based on trust, influence, and professional credibility

• Engage confidently with a wide range of stakeholders and partners across complex environments

We are keen to hear from all types of people to bring these different skills and experience to benefit the NHS and to help bring about transformation to the NHS of the future.

By joining the pool, you’ll gain:

• Tools and learning to help you prepare for an NHS NED role

• Insight into NHS governance and structure

• Increased visibility and opportunities to connect and network with current NHS chairs and NEDs

• Alerts to suitable non-executive roles in your area

If you're ready to make a meaningful impact on board level decision making and help shape a healthier, more equitable future, find out more about our NHS NED talent pool.