As a Non-Executive Director, you will work alongside the Chair, Executive Directors and Non-Executive Directors as an equal member of the Board. Together, you will be responsible for strategic leadership, development and overall performance of the Trust.
This is a significant opportunity to play a central role in shaping the financial and operational success of a high-performing and ambitious organisation. You will provide visible and independent leadership as the Chair of the Finance and Performance Committee, supporting the Board in maintaining strong financial stewardship, driving operational excellence, and ensuring robust oversight of performance against the Trust’s strategic objectives.
Download the Recruitment Pack for further information.
The Trust values diverse leadership and believes Boards should reflect the communities they serve. Applications from all backgrounds, including ethnic minority, LGBTQ+, disabled people, and women, are encouraged.
If you are a senior leader with a strong track record and a commitment to inclusive, values‑led leadership, we welcome your application. The standard Trac process does not apply. Please send your CV to:
[email protected].
You will be contacted regarding next steps.
Key Functions and Responsibilities
A Non-Executive Director will typically bring senior-level experience in areas such as (but not necessarily restricted to) finance, audit, commerce, legal, government, the third sector or health. While expertise in finance and audit may be a key factor in your appointment, your primary responsibility is to contribute as a member of the unitary board, rather than as a specialist adviser.
A key responsibility is ensuring financial and performance risks are identified, managed and escalated appropriately, while seeking assurance on internal controls and working collaboratively with other committees to provide comprehensive oversight. You will build a strong relationships with Board members and executives, bringing independent judgement, external perspective and constructive challenge, while actively supporting the Trust’s values, strategy and objectives. You are also likely to have strong external connections, but you are in no sense a representative of any external body. All Non-Executive Directors are expected to uphold THRIVE values, maintain confidentiality, participate in appraisal, comply with policies, regulations, and the Constitution.
About us
With over 9,000 passionate and dedicated staff, Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides a full array of acute and some community services to the local communities of Luton and Bedfordshire. Serving a diverse population of over 620,000 people, we are proud to be rated “Good” by the CQC, having successfully merged Bedford and Luton & Dunstable hospitals to create our Trust six years ago.
We have undertaken significant investment into our infrastructure and people in recent years, including the £168 million Acute Services Block build that opened in July 2026, and have created a shared set of values for our organisation, THRIVE, to unify the organisation and give a clear mission and pledge to those we serve. We have an annual turnover of £800 million, and as an anchor organisation and a very important employer within Bedfordshire, we are committed to combatting health inequalities and deprivation and to support local education training and job opportunities.
We are a key partner within the Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes which forms part of Central East ICB and we work closely with a range of health and social care partners to improve and better deliver outstanding care and reduce ill health through preventive measures. The health and wellbeing of our staff remains a fundamental priority within our strategic developments, and we recognise their commitment, passion and dedication to our patients and local population.
Essential Criteria
- A UK-recognised professional accounting or finance qualification, supported by substantial and relevant senior-level experience within a large and complex organisation.
- The credibility, expertise and leadership capability to chair the Finance, Investment & Performance Committee and, potentially, the Audit and Risk Committee in the future.
- Experience at a senior leadership level, at or close to Board level
- Experience in working within large, complex commercial, public or voluntary organisations.
Desirable Criteria
- Strong understanding of financial management, with the ability to balance the competing objectives of quality, operational performance and finance, and the ability to develop an understanding of how this works in a health and care setting
- Excellent understanding of finance and audit committee practice, risk management framework.
- Strategic and innovative thinking, particularly in the context of the NHS 10 Year Health Plan.
- Sound knowledge of good governance principles, particularly within public bodies.
- Experience building effective partnerships across organisations, communities and stakeholders.
We Are Also Seeking Individuals Who Can Demonstrate
- Strategic thinking and the ability to monitor delivery and performance.
- The ability to build trust and credibility with patients, staff, partners and local communities.
- A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
- Strong teamwork, constructive challenge and effective Board-level collaboration.
- The ability to learn quickly, demonstrate the behaviours expected within the NHS Board Leadership Competency Framework, and commit sufficient time to fulfil the role effectively.
The successful candidate is required to be or become a Foundation Trust Public member of the Trust and be a resident in Bedfordshire or its surrounding counties.
