Chair
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- Employer:
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust
- Location:
- Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire
- Salary:
- £58,000 per annum
- Closing date :
- Monday 29th September 2025
- Job Ref:
- GSe124753
Associated documents
Description
Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust is a leading provider of mental health, community, and learning disability services, serving diverse populations across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Wiltshire, and Bath & North East Somerset. We are proud of our strong research partnership with the University of Oxford, our commitment to compassionate, person-centred care, and our ambition to innovate and collaborate across the health and care system.
We are now seeking a new Chair to lead our Board at a time of strategic renewal and transformation. This is a pivotal opportunity to shape the future of a high-performing organisation as we move towards developing a new strategy, strengthening our system leadership role, and progress plans for a new Health & Innovation Campus at our historic Waneford site.
The Chair will work closely with the Chief Executive, Board members, and Council of Governors to ensure the Trust continues to deliver high-quality, safe, and equitable care. You will provide strategic leadership, ensure effective governance, and foster a culture of openness, learning, and continuous improvement. You will also play a key role in strengthening relationships across the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West (BOB) Integrated Care System.
We are looking for a strategic and inclusive leader with a proven track record at Board level, ideally within complex, regulated environments. You will bring a deep commitment to public service values, a strong understanding of governance, and the ability to build trusted relationships across diverse stakeholder groups. Experience in health and care is welcome but not essential; we are open to candidates from a range of backgrounds, including those seeking their first Chair role.
We are particularly keen to hear from candidates with a strong connection to our local communities and those who reflect the diversity of the populations we serve. Strengthening our relationship with the University of Oxford and championing equity, diversity and inclusion will be key priorities for our new Chair.
If you believe in the power of compassionate leadership and share our ambition to deliver outstanding care, we would be delighted to hear from you.
To apply or to arrange a confidential conversation, please contact our advising consultants at GatenbySanderson:
Helen Barkham, Principal Researcher
E: helen.barkham@gatenbysanderson.com
T: +44 (0) 7921 308 766
Melanie West, Senior Consultant
E: melanie.west@gatenbysanderson.com
T: +44 (0) 7384 464 187
Melanie Shearer, Partner
E: melanie.shearer@gatenbysanderson.com
T: +44 (0) 7785 616 548
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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.