Chair

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Hatfield

  • Location Hatfield
  • Sector Health, Board Practice
  • Client Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
  • Job Type Permanent
  • Remuneration £50,000 per annum for on average 2-3 days a week
  • Reference GSe130605
  • Closing Date 9am Friday 12th June 2026

A Chair opportunity to shape the next chapter of mental health and learning disability leadership

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) supports people with mental ill health, learning disabilities and autism across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Norfolk and Essex. With more than 4,500 staff, we are recognised for high‑quality care, strong partnerships and a culture rooted in kindness, professionalism and respect. Together, we are focused on delivering great care and achieving great outcomes.

As our current Chair prepares to stand down, we are seeking an exceptional successor to lead the Trust through its next phase. This is an opportunity to chair the Board of a values‑driven organisation with a clear sense of purpose and an appetite to go further - championing innovation, tackling inequalities and keeping the voices of service users and carers at the centre of every decision.

Working closely with our Chief Executive, Karen Taylor, you will lead the Board and Council of Governors with integrity, clarity and momentum. You will set the tone for a high‑performing, inclusive governance culture - bringing thoughtful challenge, enabling constructive collaboration and ensuring robust assurance across quality, safety, workforce and finance. Externally, you will be a visible and trusted ambassador for HPFT, building influential relationships across the system - from staff, patients and governors through to regulators, local authorities, system partners and academic collaborators.

HPFT is firmly committed to belonging and inclusion. We warmly encourage applications from people from the global majority and from those who may not previously have considered a Chair role in the NHS, but who share our values and bring the insight, credibility and compassion to lead in partnership.

You are likely to bring significant board‑level experience - ideally within the NHS or wider health and care system, whether as a Chair or Non‑Executive Director. We are also open to accomplished leaders from other person‑centred sectors, where values‑led leadership, sound judgement and clearly transferable governance experience are strongly evidenced.

Above all, we are looking for a Chair whose leadership is grounded in our values and who can inspire confidence through calm authority and authentic engagement. You will bring sound judgement, the ability to lead through complexity and change, and a genuine commitment to improving mental health and learning disability services - strengthening quality and safety, tackling inequalities and listening to the voices of service users, carers and staff.

If you are ready to help lead an outstanding Trust through its next chapter - setting direction, shaping culture and creating lasting impact for the communities we serve - we would welcome your application.

 

For a confidential discussion please contact our retained recruitment partners at GatenbySanderson:

Julia St Clare, Senior Consultant and Research Lead

E: julia.stclare@gatenbysanderson.com 

T: +44 (0) 7807 631 564

 

Helen Barkham, Principal Researcher

E:helen.barkham@gatenbysanderson.com

T: +44 (0) 7921 308 766

 

Melanie Shearer, Partner

E: melanie.shearer@gatenbysanderson.com

T: +44 (0) 7785 616 548

 

Closing Date:

Final Interviews: w/c 20th July 2026

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Documents

  1. Fit and Proper Person Declaration - New.docx

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