Cumbria Health, Chief Executive Officer

Chief Executive Officer,
Cumbria Health

United Kingdom

Welcome, and thank you for your interest in becoming the next Chief Executive of Cumbria Health.

We are a county-wide provider of urgent and primary care, delivering the out of hours service for Cumbria alongside six daytime practices, a Dental Access Centre and a range of other health services. In addition, we have recently diversified into providing employment support services. WorkWell North Cumbria, WorkWell South Cumbria and Connect to Work are just three of the additional contracts we hold, and exciting programmes we are delivering in close partnership with the third sector. More than 500 committed colleagues work from fourteen bases across our region, providing high-quality care to diverse and often rural communities.

As a Social Enterprise, our purpose is rooted in improving outcomes for the people we serve. We have built trusted partnerships with local communities, patients, NHS organisations, local authorities and the third sector. Collaboration has been central to our success and will continue to shape how we support the wider system. The feedback we receive from patients is both affirming and motivating, reminding us every day why our work matters.

This is a particularly exciting moment to join us. We are planning for the future from a position of strength: a stable financial footing, clear ambitions and a changing external landscape full of opportunity. Our Strategic Roadmap focuses both on sustaining excellent services today and exploring where we can innovate and add greater value tomorrow. This year we were delighted to receive a Gold Award for Digital Impact at the Urgent Health UK annual awards, demonstrating our commitment to forward-looking, technology-enabled care.

The direction set out in the 10 Year Health Plan aligns strongly with our own ambitions. The shift from hospital to community, sickness to prevention, and analogue to digital creates real scope for us to lead and support change. We will continue to strengthen our work on population health, tackling inequalities, expanding care closer to home and making smarter use of data and technology.

Our culture is one of our greatest strengths. We are a values-driven organisation that puts patient experience at the heart of everything we do. As we grow and develop new models of care, we are investing in strong governance, robust structures and the capabilities required to deliver consistently and confidently. Our Board is experienced, supportive and committed to high standards.

We are now seeking an exceptional leader to succeed Susan Blakemore, who has guided the organisation through significant evolution, from Cuedoc, to CHoC, to Cumbria Health. The next Chief Executive will lead us through the next chapter: building on our successes, pursuing new opportunities and ensuring we remain a trusted, high-performing partner within the health and care system.

We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds. We are looking for someone with character, strategic insight and the drive to make a genuine difference, balanced with compassion, humility and a deep commitment to our communities. This is a rewarding role with real scope to shape the future of care in Cumbria.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Ed Tallis
Chair

Please click here to read the Job Description & Person Specification
Summary Job Description
Chief Executive – Cumbria Health
Location: Wavell Drive, Carlisle
Salary: Competitive + NHS Pension
About Us
Cumbria Health is a values-driven organisation dedicated to delivering high standards of compassionate care and excellent patient and employee experience. We work collaboratively across the Integrated Care System (ICS), partnering with health and social care providers, local authorities, and community organisations to improve population health and sustainability. Our values – Clinically Focused, Responsive, One Team, High Standards, Growth & Sustainability, Communities – underpin everything we do.
The Role
We are seeking an exceptional Chief Executive to lead Cumbria Health into the future. This is a pivotal role, providing strategic leadership, operational oversight, and financial stewardship. You will shape the organisation’s future, foster a values-led culture, and ensure Cumbria Health remains a credible, high-performing partner within the health and care system.
Key Responsibilities:
- Define and deliver Cumbria Health’s strategic vision and Road Map.
- Drive sustainable growth and diversification of services.
- Lead and develop a high-performing Executive Team and organisational culture.
- Champion clinical quality, safety, and governance.
- Ensure financial resilience and value for money.
- Build strong relationships with partners across the ICS and beyond.
- Promote continuous improvement and innovation in patient and staff experience.
About You
We are looking for a visible, inclusive leader with:
Qualifications
- Master’s level qualification or equivalent experience (leadership qualification desirable).
Experience
- Comprehensive understanding of health and care.
- Proven success leading large, complex teams.
- Board-level experience in healthcare or public sector.
- Track record in delivering strategic objectives and organisational change.
Skills
- Strategic thinker and credible communicator.
- Skilled in improvement methodologies and performance management.
- Ability to build partnerships and maintain stakeholder confidence.
- Financial acumen and ability to manage complex budgets.
Personal Qualities
- Resilient, values-driven, enthusiastic, and committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
- Ability to travel across Cumbria and work flexibly.
Chief Executive
Cumbria Health
Based in Carlisle with travel across Cumbria
Competitive Salary
Cumbria Health is an ambitious and values driven organisation rooted in its communities and committed to delivering high quality, compassionate care closer to home. We work in close partnership with the NHS, local authorities, voluntary and community organisations to design and deliver services that respond to local need, improve outcomes and support sustainable health and care systems.
We are now seeking an outstanding Chief Executive to lead Cumbria Health into its next phase of development and growth.
This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of a purpose led organisation at a time of significant opportunity. As Chief Executive, you will be the Accountable Officer for Cumbria Health, providing clear strategic leadership, strong operational grip and confident external representation. You will work closely with the Chair and Board to set direction, build organisational capability and ensure financial sustainability, quality and governance sit at the heart of everything we do.
You will be a visible, inclusive and engaging leader who brings people with you. Someone who builds high performing executive teams, creates a positive and values based culture, and inspires confidence across staff, partners and communities. You will champion high standards of clinical quality and safety, foster continuous improvement, and ensure Cumbria Health is recognised as a trusted and constructive system partner.
A core part of the role will be driving growth and sustainability. This includes developing new services, diversifying income, strengthening partnerships and ensuring the organisation is well positioned for the future. You will balance financial discipline with innovation and ambition, always keeping patient care, experience and outcomes at the centre of decision making.
The successful candidate will bring senior leadership experience gained within health, care or a related sector, with a strong understanding of complex systems, partnership working and public accountability. You will be comfortable operating at Board level, building credibility with clinicians and partners, and leading organisations through change with pace, empathy and clarity.
Cumbria Health is proud of its values. We are clinically focused, responsive, collaborative and committed to high standards. We care deeply about our communities and are focused on growth and sustainability for the long term. We are looking for a Chief Executive who shares these values and who wants to make a real difference.
If you are motivated by purpose, energised by collaboration and excited by the opportunity to lead an organisation that is rooted in place and focused on impact, we would be delighted to hear from you.
For further information and a confidential discussion, please contact Michael Earnshaw, Director of Research or Frank McKenna, Managing Director.
All applications must include:
- A full curriculum vitae/resume
- Quoting the relevant role reference number:
  Chief Executive Officer - A041413
- A covering letter highlighting the aspects of the job description and Cumbria Health 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 Cumbria Health’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:
Michael Earnshaw, Director of Research or Frank McKenna, Global Managing Director who’s 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.
Key Milestones:
Closing date: 6th February 2026
Stakeholders: TBC
Final Interviews: w/c 2nd March 2026 - TBC
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.