Thank you for your interest in joining Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT) as an Associate Non-Executive Director.

Our vision is to be a leading provider of outstanding compassionate care. Since becoming a Foundation Trust on 1 May 2009, NHFT has expanded the range of services we provide and developed new and innovative models of care, often in partnership with other local organisations. Indeed, working with a system-wide view across the integrated healthcare landscape is a cornerstone of our approach.

We are highly rated by NHS regulators, both in terms of quality and financial performance and whilst we are proud of our track record, financial pressures and ever-increasing demand for NHS services do present an ongoing challenge to the delivery of our strategies and plans. However our priority continues to be maintaining quality and safety at the foundation of all we do.

Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT) and Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (LPT) have worked in a group arrangement since 2021. During that time the Trusts have developed a range of initiatives including talent management, quality improvement, innovation and research and more. Each organisation has embraced the opportunity to collaborate on projects to the benefit of staff and those they care for and work with. We have developed a group strategy that will be launching in April 2025.  Please see our website for more information: https://www.nhft.nhs.uk/plans

We are in search of an exceptional individual who not only understands the nuances of delivering world-class services within a defined budget but also appreciates the needs of our consumers – someone who strives for efficiency and productivity through the successful integration of digital innovations. Your commitment to quality, governance, and accountability will be crucial in driving our mission forward.

We all recognise that the NHS plays a crucial role in the life of the local community. As Board members of NHFT, Associate Non-Executive Directors have a real opportunity to help shape the future direction and provision of health and wellbeing services in Northamptonshire and beyond.

I hope the information that follows will encourage you to join us on our journey.

Good luck with your application

As a health and wellbeing organisation here at team NHFT we are dedicated to continually innovate and strive to make a difference to our community and those working for our Trust, we aim to serve the people of Northamptonshire and surrounding areas with safe, quality care. We deliver this from an understanding of our local healthcare needs, economy and the changing demands of our community.

Working with a system-wide view across the integrated healthcare landscape is a cornerstone of our approach.

Our mission, making a difference for you, with you was chosen by our staff and stakeholders. It means in everything we do and through every service we provide, we want to make a positive difference in people’s lives – for those we care for, those we work with and those who work with us. Everyone is part of our team.

Our core strategy is to be an employer of choice, a great place to work and be known for a diverse and inclusive culture whose staff feel valued. We provide a range of NHS services including physical, mental health and specialty services provided in hospital settings and out in the community within schools, GP clinics and patients own homes.

Here at NHFT we pride ourselves on our 54321 roadmap, pictured here which encompasses our PRIDE values, leadership behaviours, teams, enablers and our mission all of which are driven by our vision of ‘being a leading provider of outstanding, compassionate care’.

We are extremely proud to say this has also been recognised by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and our CQC rating of Outstanding for team NHFT.

For more information please visit:

• Trust Website: https://www.nhft.nhs.uk/
• Annual Report: https://www.nhft.nhs.uk/documents
• Annual Plan: https://www.nhft.nhs.uk/documents 
• CQC: http://www.cqc.org.uk/provider/RP1

ENGAGING PEOPLE / WORKING TOGETHER

• provide independent judgement and advice on issues of strategy, vision, performance, resources and standards of conduct and constructively challenge, influence and help Executive Directors develop proposals on such issues
• contribute to the determination of appropriate levels of remuneration and the appointment or removal of Executive Directors
• contribute to the maintenance and ongoing development of a positive working relationship with the Council of Governors
• support, encourage and where appropriate ‘mentor’ Executive Directors
• assist fellow Directors in ensuring that the necessary financial, human and other resources are in place for the Trust to meet its objectives, and that performance is effectively monitored and reviewed
• assist fellow Directors in providing entrepreneurial leadership to the Trust within a framework of prudent and effective controls, which enable risk to be assessed and managed

BEING AUTHENTIC

• obtain assurance that financial, performance and quality information is accurate and that financial, performance and quality controls and risk management systems are robust and implemented
• bring independent judgement and experience or expertise from outside the Trust and apply this to the benefit of the Trust, its stakeholders and its wider community
• provide assurance to the Council of Governors on the management of risks and issues raised by governors
• assist fellow Directors in setting the Trust’s values and standards and ensure that its obligations to its stakeholders and the wider community are understood and fairly balanced at all times

TAKING RESPONSIBILITY

• commit to working to, and encouraging within the Trust, the highest standards of probity, integrity and governance and contribute to ensuring that the Trust’s internal governance arrangements conform with best practice and statutory requirements
• monitor and scrutinise the performance and conduct of management in meeting agreed goals and objectives and statutory responsibilities, including the preparation of annual reports and annual accounts and other statutory duties
• engage positively and collaboratively in Board discussion of agenda items
• adhere to the Trust Directors’ Code of Conduct and uphold monitor and scrutinise the Trust’s performance in adhering to the NHS Constitution

EMBRACING CHANGE

• where so appointed chair or as a member take an active part in committees (including the remuneration committee) established by the Board of Directors to exercise delegated responsibility
• represent the local communities served by the Trust including service users and carers, dealing with the media when appropriate

Remuneration

£13,000 per annum. You will be paid on the 27^th of each month. If this date falls at a weekend you will be paid on the Friday before this date.

Location

You must be able to travel independently to NHFT Trust sites and other premises across the region. Participation in virtual meetings from home will also be required.

Permanent / Fixed Term

Fixed term (3 years from appointment) contract for services.

Hours / Pattern of Work

You will be expected to devote a minimum of 3 days a month to undertake Trust business and as is appropriate to the role of Associate Non-Executive Director.

This will include attendance at the following:

• meetings of the Board of Directors for NHFT
• attendance at sub-committee meetings
• meetings of the Council of Governors
• any relevant meetings in the role of Non-Executive Director; and
• any relevant training and/or induction sessions

 You will also be expected to devote appropriate preparation time ahead of each meeting.

The Trust Board dates for 2025/26 are:

• 29/05/2025
• 31/07/2025
• 25/09/2025
• 27/11/2025
• 29/01/2026
• 26/03/2026

Annual leave and bank holiday entitlement

Not applicable.

Pension entitlement

Not applicable.

Anderson Quigley is acting as an advisor to Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. An executive search process is being carried out by Anderson Quigley in addition to the public advertisement.

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: Friday 25th April, 2025

Applications should consist of:

• A full CV.
• A covering letter outlining your motivation and details of how your skills and experience can meet the role’s needs described in the job description and person specification.
• A fit and proper persons form, a copy of which you can download here.
• Please include details of two referees in your CV, though please note that we will not approach your referees without your prior consent and only should you be shortlisted.

Should you wish to discuss the roles in strict confidence, please contact Helene Usherwood at helene.usherwood@andersonquigley.com or on +44 (0)7719 322 669 or Elyse Turner-Pearce at elyse.turner-pearce@andersonquigley.com or on +44 (0)7808 648 559.