Gloucestershire Health & Care NHS Foundation Trust provides community and inpatient physical health, mental health and learning disability services for the people of Gloucestershire of all ages.
We’re transforming our services by co-producing what we do with the people and communities we serve, building on their strengths and using their insights to drive change. We have a clear focus on tackling inequalities and promoting inclusion.
Forward thinking and ambitious, we are using quality improvement methodology and the best available technology to provide excellent quality services that enhance access and choice.
We have clear ambitions to be sustainable and to contribute to the wellbeing of our vibrant local economy.
We recognise that as an organisation we have gaps in our insight into the experience of the diverse communities we serve in Gloucestershire. We are seeking to appoint an Associate Non-Executive Director to help us identify these gaps and improve our insight for the benefit of all. In this role, extensive insight (likely gained through lived experience, work or volunteering) into the experience of racially minoritised communities in Gloucestershire is the most important factor rather than previous board or senior management skills.
You’ll be joining a strong and diverse team of people who will welcome your perspective and insight. Who you are and how you think will matter most of all.
You will share our passion for community health services, and our vision and values, and bring the specific skills and perspectives we need to keep moving forward.
The Associate Non-Executive Director role is used to prioritise particular skills and experience and support Board succession strategy. The role can provide development opportunities, aimed at attracting potential Non-Executive Director candidates who do not yet have sufficient Board-level experience, or currently do not have the required availability, but who do have valuable skills and experience, and the potential to succeed in a Trust Board-level role. Whilst non-voting, the Associate Non-Executive Director will undertake the rest of the range of Non Executive Director activity, governing and leading as part of the Board team.
** Applications for this role must be submitted to Anna Hilditch, Deputy Trust Secretary –
[email protected] by 5pm on Monday 6th July 2026. **
Applications submitted via NHS Jobs/ Trac will not be considered.
To make an application, please prepare and send the following documents:
- your CV or equivalent biographical information;
- a covering letter (maximum two sides) that sets out your motivation for applying for this appointment, and why you think your skills and experience make you suitable
- A completed Monitoring Form (please complete and return this form alongside your application - a copy can be found in the Documents to Download section).
We have in excess of 6 000 staff working over 50 sites , providing a divers e range of services. We strive to support an organisational culture that is welcoming, builds and celebrates inclusivity and diversity and provides a sense of belonging and trust .
The annual NHS S taff S urvey gi ves our people the opportunity to tell us about their experience working at the Trust . For the 2023 survey just over 2800 colleagues g ave us their views (58.5%). It was great to see from the results that colleagues are saying that:
89.7% believe they are making a positive difference to patients/service users;
73.3% would recommend the organisation as a place to work;
82.4% agree that care of patients and service users is the organisations priority;
76.7% would be happy with the standard of care for a friend or relative
Our results put us as 5th nationally as a Community, Mental Health and Learning Disabilities NHS Employer of Choice and 1st equal amongst all NHS Provider Trusts in the South West. However, we know we have more to do and will continue to drive forward our commitment to making GHC a Great Place to Work.
The specific role of the Associate Non-Executive Director (ANED) is to:
- Bring independence, external perspectives, skills, and challenge to strategy development
- Hold the executive to account for the delivery of strategy
- Offer purposeful, constructive scrutiny and challenge
- Participate as a member of key committees that support accountability
- Account individually and collectively to the Council of Governors for the effectiveness of the Board
- Actively support and promote a healthy culture for the organisation and reflect this in their own behaviours
- Provide visible leadership in developing a healthy culture so that our colleagues believe Associate and other Non-Executive Directors provide a safe point of access to the board for raising concerns
- Satisfy themselves of the integrity of financial and quality intelligence including triangulating with direct experience by getting out and about, observing and talking to services users, carers and staff
- Ensure the board acts in the best interests of service users and the public
- Show commitment to supporting the work of the Council of Governors
- To be aware of and contribute to system wide collaboration and strategic thinking
Please refer to the Documents to Download section for our Recruitment Pack, which contains a detailed role description and requirements for our Associate Non-Executive Director role.
Our Trust values difference and diversity and is an equal opportunities employer. Applications are welcome from all sections of the community, particularly people from ethnic minorities, women, people with a disability or long-term condition, and LGBTQ+ communities who are underrepresented at senior levels within the organisation.
You’ll be joining a strong and diverse team of people who will welcome your individual perspective and insight.