Job summary
Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (WHH) is seeking an exceptional, value-driven chair to lead our Board of Directors and Council of Governors through a period of strategic transformation and integration. This is a pivotal opportunity to shape the future of one of Cheshire and Merseyside's key NHS providers at a time when collaboration, compassion, and innovation are essential to delivering better outcomes for our communities.
Strategic Context - WHH operates within a complex health landscape marked by rising demand, workforce pressures and the need for integrated, seamless care. Aligning community services with our partner, Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, is essential to improving quality and efficiency. In line with the NHS 10-year Fit for the Future plan, we are driving improvements across prevention, digital transformation, health equity and community-based care.
As chair, you will play a central role in aligning our strategic vision with national priorities - ensuring governance is strong, decisions are evidence-based, and the voice of patients, staff and partners remains at the heart of our direction.
Main duties of the job
As chair, you will provide clear, inclusive and effective leadership to the Board - guiding strategy, upholding governance and ensuring we remain outward-facing and accountable.
You will:
Set the strategic direction and support delivery of safe, high-quality, patient-centred care.
Champion integration and collaboration at place and system level.
Support, develop and challenge the Board and Council of Governors to drive a values-led culture.
Build strong relationships across local, regional and national partners.
Ensure robust governance and risk oversight in a rapidly evolving environment.
Role-model our Trust values: Working together, excellence, inclusive, kind and embracing change.
Moving Towards a Single Organisation
WHH and Bridgewater are progressing plans to become a single organisation, subject to NHS regulatory approval. This proposed acquisition follows a robust options appraisal and is designed to unlock greater clinical service integration, optimise our shared resources and improve services for local people. As chair, you will provide strategic leadership and assurance during this critical transition - ensuring change is transparent, inclusive and focused on delivering maximum value for patients and staff.
About us
Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is a caring and compassionate organisation that is both ambitious and innovative. We are committed to delivering the best outcomes for our patients and providing a positive experience of our staff. We aspire to be outstanding for our patients, our communities and our staff and are committed to being a great place to receive healthcare, work and learn.
Straddling the neighbouring boroughs of Warrington and Halton we are part of the Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care system. Our hospitals are ideally situated to meet the growing healthcare needs of the 330,000 population of these boroughs.
Warrington Hospital is home to our emergency, critical care and maternity services, Halton Hospital is focused on elective procedures and the Runcorn Urgent Treatment Centre, although many services are offered at both sites and in community hubs.
A CQC-rated 'good' organisation with 'outstanding' features, we are working towards university hospital status, having achieved teaching hospital status in 2019.
We employ nearly 5,000 people from over 80 nationalities, striving to be a diverse, inclusive employer and recognised leader in equality. We support flexible working, welcoming flexible applications. Proud of our many accreditations, we are embedding an anti-racist approach in all we do.
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will be an experienced and compassionate leader with a strong commitment to public service and the values of the NHS. The candidate will have a background and experience that will allow them to lead and make a positive contribution to the Board of a patient focused organisation that provides healthcare. With prior board-level experience executive or non-executive youll bring the credibility, insight and independence needed to lead a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.
This is a defining moment for WHH. With strong foundations and clear ambition, we are ready to take the next step with the right chair at the helm to lead with purpose, compassion and vision.
As part of our recruitment process, we may carry out a basic search of publicly available social media and online content to help assess candidates suitability for the role.
Further details on the role and how to apply can be found on our
chair vacancy microsite
A full and detailed Job Description isalso attached to the vacancy information.
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will be an experienced and compassionate leader with a strong commitment to public service and the values of the NHS. The candidate will have a background and experience that will allow them to lead and make a positive contribution to the Board of a patient focused organisation that provides healthcare. With prior board-level experience executive or non-executive youll bring the credibility, insight and independence needed to lead a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.
This is a defining moment for WHH. With strong foundations and clear ambition, we are ready to take the next step with the right chair at the helm to lead with purpose, compassion and vision.
As part of our recruitment process, we may carry out a basic search of publicly available social media and online content to help assess candidates suitability for the role.
Further details on the role and how to apply can be found on our
chair vacancy microsite
A full and detailed Job Description isalso attached to the vacancy information.
Person Specification
Background and Experience
Essential
- Previous experience as a non-executive director, with evidence of independent thinking, sound judgement, common sense and diplomacy.
Background and Experience
Essential
- Demonstrated strategic leadership that extends beyond organisational boundaries.
Background and Experience
Essential
- Proven experience at board level or equivalent, leading and developing large, complex or evolving organisations across the private, public or voluntary sectors.
Desirable
- Extensive experience chairing boards in large organisations, particularly in contexts of complex change or significant operational pressures.
Person Specification
Background and Experience
Essential
- Previous experience as a non-executive director, with evidence of independent thinking, sound judgement, common sense and diplomacy.
Background and Experience
Essential
- Demonstrated strategic leadership that extends beyond organisational boundaries.
Background and Experience
Essential
- Proven experience at board level or equivalent, leading and developing large, complex or evolving organisations across the private, public or voluntary sectors.
Desirable
- Extensive experience chairing boards in large organisations, particularly in contexts of complex change or significant operational pressures.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details
Employer name
Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHSFT
Address
Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Trust
Lovely Lane
Warrington
WA5 1QG
Employer's website
https://whh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)
