Norfolk and Waveney University Hospitals Group

The Norfolk and Waveney University Hospitals Group (NWUHG), was formed in May 2025 and brings together the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, the James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn NHS Foundation Trust.

While each Trust continues to operate under its own name and identity, the formation of the group enables us to build on the successful partnership we established as the Norfolk and Waveney Acute Hospital Collaborative, through which we’ve worked since September 2020 to align decision-making on common issues.

As the NWUHG, we are working together under a Group Board with a single Interim Group Chair (David Roberts), Group Chief Executive (Lesley Dwyer) and joint Executive and non-Executive Directors.

Each Trust remains a separate statutory organisation with its own Executive Managing Director and leadership team. Each hospital also remains focused on its community and local services and staff relationships will continue to be central to how we work.

This structure will align our strategic ambitions and give us the streamlined decision-making combined with locally-focused delivery of care that will enable us to enhance experience and outcomes for patients across Norfolk and Waveney. It also gives us the opportunity to:

Transform health services based on the needs of our patients and communities, particularly focusing on preventative and proactive healthcare for people with long-term conditions and delivering a consistent best practice model of urgent and emergency care with a focus on frailty.
Build on our combined knowledge, skills and experience to implement safe and sustainable care models, level-up access and outcomes and improve outcomes for people with cancer.
Take a co-ordinated approach to the development of the two new hospitals in King’s Lynn and Gorleston.
Work at scale to improve our service resilience, enhance staff development and training, create a University Hospital system that strengthens our potential for research, training and innovation, and realise the benefits of service transformation that can be achieved through estates and digital.
Tackle underlying financial challenges and take advantage of the negotiation, purchasing and investment power that comes with being part of a group.

Living and working in Norfolk offers the rare opportunity to enjoy both professional fulfilment and an exceptional quality of life. From its expansive coastline and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty to the historic city of Norwich and its surrounding market towns, Norfolk blends tranquillity with a strong sense of community. Whether you're relocating with family or seeking a change of pace, the region boasts excellent schools, accessible housing, and a lifestyle rooted in wellbeing, space, and balance. It’s a place where you can truly switch off at the end of the day, whether that’s a walk on Holkham Beach or dinner in a vibrant local pub.

Professionally, the Norfolk and Waveney University Hospitals Group presents a unique and exciting opportunity for executive leaders to influence meaningful, system-wide change. As part of a progressive and ambitious group operating across three acute hospital sites, you’ll help shape high-quality, sustainable services for a population of over one million people. The Group plays a central role in Norfolk and Waveney’s Integrated Care System and is committed to collaborative, inclusive leadership. For those seeking to make a lasting impact on healthcare while enjoying the benefits of a truly enviable lifestyle, Norfolk is an outstanding place to lead, live, and grow.

Dear Candidate
Thank you for your interest in the roles of Group Non-Executive Director and Group Associate Non-Executive Director with the Norfolk and Waveney University Hospitals Group (NWUHG).
This is an important and formative moment for our Group. Established in May 2025, NWUHG brings together Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn NHS Foundation Trust. Working together under a single Group Board, we are creating a more aligned and effective approach to leadership, strategy and decision making, while remaining firmly rooted in the communities each hospital serves.
Our ambition is clear. We want to improve outcomes and experience for patients across Norfolk and Waveney, strengthen clinical and operational sustainability, develop our workforce and make the most of the opportunities that come from working at scale. This includes major capital investment, digital transformation, research and education, and a continued focus on quality, safety and organisational culture. Strong governance and a Board with depth, range and independence of thought will be central to achieving this.
For the Group Non-Executive Director role, we are particularly keen to hear from candidates who bring experience of operating, leading or governing within large-scale and complex organisations. Suitable candidates will bring a background in finance and performance or people leadership, with strong commercial insight; we would also welcome interest from individuals with technology or clinical backgrounds. These roles require sound judgement, confidence and credibility to provide robust oversight and constructive challenge at Group level, and to contribute meaningfully to strategic decision-making in a highly complex and evolving environment.
Alongside this, we are also seeking to appoint three Group Associate Non-Executive Directors. These roles are designed to broaden the Board’s perspective and capability and to create opportunities for individuals from a wide range of professional backgrounds. We welcome interest from candidates with deep experience across the public, voluntary or private sectors, who may not previously have held a Non-Executive Director role but who bring insight, lived experience and a close connection to the communities we serve across Norfolk and Waveney. These roles are an important part of building a Board that reflects the diversity, experience and realities of our population.
Across both roles, we are looking for individuals who share our values, bring integrity and independence of mind, and are motivated by the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to public service. We are strongly committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from candidates who are currently under represented at Board level within the NHS.
If you feel motivated to explore this further, I would very much encourage you to have a confidential conversation with our executive search partners at Alumni Global, Rabiya Ali, Principal Researcher or Frank McKenna, Managing Director.
Thank you for taking the time to consider these roles and for your interest in supporting the future of healthcare across Norfolk and Waveney.
Yours sincerely
David Roberts
Group Chair
Norfolk and Waveney University Hospitals Group
Please click below to view the Role Descriptions:
Group Non-Executive Director
Group Associate Non-Executive Director
All applications must include:
- A full curriculum vitae/resume
- Quoting the relevant role reference number: Group Non-Executive Director - A041648
  Group Associate Non-Executive Director - A041650
- A covering letter highlighting the aspects of the job description and Norfolk & Waveney University Hospitals Group 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 Norfolk & Waveney University Hospitals Group’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 Rabiya Ali, Principal Researcher 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: Friday, 6 March 2026
Stakeholders: TBC
Final Interviews: 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.