**NHS Confederation & NHS Providers,**

**Chief Executive Officer**

United Kingdom

About the NHS Confederation and NHS Providers

The NHS Confederation and NHS Providers are merging to create a single, renewed organisation that will serve as the independent, trusted voice for NHS leaders across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The Chief Executive role is a unique opportunity to be part of a transformation that will shape the future of healthcare on behalf of our members.

Our Vision

“To improve the NHS and the health of the people of the UK as the independent membership body providing an influential, trusted voice for NHS leaders and supporting its members to drive improvement.”

Our Strategic Priorities

Representation: Championing the diverse views and interests of NHS leaders and organisations.
Improvement & Added Value: Helping members learn, innovate, and improve together.
Cross-sector Relationships: Building partnerships beyond the NHS to create the best environment for health and care.

Welcome from Lord Victor Adebowale, Chair of the NHS Confederation and Sir Terence Stephenson, Chair of NHS Providers
Dear Candidate
We are delighted to invite you to consider the role of Chief Executive for the new organisation formed by the merger of the NHS Confederation and NHS Providers.
This is a pivotal moment for the NHS. Our two organisations are coming together in response to clear calls from members and stakeholders for a unified, influential voice and a renewed approach to supporting NHS leaders. The new organisation will build on the strengths of both legacy bodies, delivering greater value, driving improvement, and championing the interests of our diverse membership across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
As Chief Executive, you will have the unique opportunity to shape the vision, culture, and operating model of this new organisation. You will lead the organisation through a period of transformation, ensuring we deliver on our strategic priorities: strong representation, added value for members, and building cross-sector relationships to improve health and care outcomes.
We are seeking an inclusive, visionary leader with a proven track record at CEO or equivalent level in complex environments. You will bring strategic insight, financial acumen, and a deep commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
If you share our ambition to make a lasting impact on the NHS and the health of the UK, I encourage you to apply.
Thank you for your interest in this important role.
Yours sincerely
Lord Victor Adebowale
Chair, NHS Confederation
Sir Terence Stephenson
Chair, NHS Providers
Please click here to view the Role Description & Person Specification
We are seeking a visionary Chief Executive to lead this new organisation through a period of transformation and renewal. The Chief Executive will:
- Embed the new vision, culture, and operating model.
- Deliver value to members and stakeholders.
- Lead the organisation through integration and change.
- Drive financial sustainability and innovation.
We’re looking for an influential, values driven leader with
- Proven, inclusive leadership at CEO or equivalent level in complex, politically sensitive environments.
- Experience in service improvement, innovation, and change management.
- Strong financial stewardship and strategic thinking.
- Demonstrable strategic agility and political acumen.
- Exceptional communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Proven commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism.
Pay and Benefits
Salary in the range of £225,000 - £245,000
Benefits
All applications must include:
• A full curriculum vitae/resume
• Quoting the relevant role reference number: A041293
• A covering letter highlighting the aspects of the job description that particularly attract you to the post (Microsoft Word document)
• Contact details for three referees, these will not be contacted without your permission. (References should validate a minimum period of six years employment)
• A completed Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form (which you will be redirected to once you have submitted your application) *
Right to work checks
If you are successfully shortlisted, our partner, Yoti, will contact you to complete an online right to work check. This is a quick and secure process, ensuring that all necessary legal requirements are met before proceeding further in the recruitment process.
Monitoring
One of Alumni Global’s and NHS Confed and NHS Provider’s objectives is to ensure that its workforce is reflective of the local community and therefore we actively encourage applications from under-represented groups. So that we can successfully achieve these aims, while it is not mandatory we would encourage every applicant to complete the “Equal Opportunities Monitoring form” so that we can measure the effectiveness of our efforts. The Recruiting Manager does not have access to the Monitoring Information Sections of the application form at any stage of the process and the information provided will be kept entirely confidential.
For a confidential discussion on this role please contact:
Frank McKenna, Global Managing Director or Michael Earnshaw, Director of Research whose details can be found at the bottom of this microsite.
Candidate adjustment
If you require any reasonable adjustments to be made as part of the recruitment process please can you advise us so that we can ensure this is accommodated.
Closing date: 12th December 2025
Stakeholder sessions: TBC
Final interviews: 13th January 2026
Please ensure you have made a note of the final interview date(s). We recommend that you bookmark this microsite, as any potential updates regarding the role will be posted online.
About the new organisation
The new national organisation formed from the merger of NHS Confederation and NHS Providers will bring together the collective voice of the NHS and care sector across systems, providers, and partners. Its purpose is to strengthen national influence, support the leadership community, and create a single, coherent platform for advocacy, policy, and improvement across the health and care sectors in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

The organisation will reflect the collective purpose and values of the NHS and its partners, giving voice to their experience and ambition. It will support members in delivering improvement, innovation, and effective leadership, while also working across sectors to show how the NHS contributes to the social and economic wellbeing of the nation and to the wider determinants of health.
The Opportunity
This is a defining moment to lead a new organisation that sits at the centre of the NHS and care landscape. As Chief Executive, you will be responsible for embedding the organisation’s vision, culture, and operating model, and for delivering value to members through transformation, improvement, and influence.

You will work with governments, regulators, national and local systems, and a wide range of partners to advance the three strategic pillars agreed by the Boards of Trustees of the legacy organisations:
- Representation: providing a strong, system-wide voices for the NHS and its members
- Improvement and added value: helping members learn, innovate, and deliver improvement
- Cross sector relationships: working beyond the NHS to maximise its wider contribution to society
You will also oversee the full breadth of the organisation’s activities, including its membership offer, NHS Employers, hosted networks, and commercial services that support members and partners.
The post offers a rare opportunity to shape a newly integrated organisation with a clear and ambitious purpose, to lead cultural and organisational transformation, and to strengthen collaboration across the health and care sectors.

The Chief Executive
We are seeking an inclusive, values driven, and politically astute leader with the strategic capability to operate confidently at national level. You will demonstrate credibility and authenticity with members who lead front line services while engaging effectively across government, devolved administrations, regulators, and partners.

You will bring extensive experience of leading through complexity and change, with the skill to combine national influence and practical support for members. You will show a strong commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism, and an ability to integrate two organisations into a single, coherent entity with shared values and direction. You will inspire confidence and connection across teams and create a culture that is inclusive, forward looking, and united in purpose.
Although experience within healthcare would be valuable, we are equally interested in candidates from other sectors who can bring relevant insight and a strong grasp of public value, governance, and system leadership.
The successful candidate will have sound financial stewardship, strategic vision, and the ability to inspire confidence among members, staff, and external stakeholders. You will be a visible ambassador for the organisation and a trusted voice for the NHS and its partners across the UK.

Next Steps
We would be delighted to discuss this important role with prospective candidates who share our purpose and values.
For further information or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advisors at Alumni Global, who are supporting this important appointment.