Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust - NEDs

Welcome

Dear Candidate

Thank you for your interest in joining the Board of Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

QVH occupies a distinctive place within the NHS. The Trust is internationally recognised for its specialist services in reconstructive surgery, burns care and ophthalmology, alongside valued community services for the local population. Patients come to us at some of the most challenging moments in their lives, and the expertise, compassion and dedication of our staff are what define the organisation.

Our history is one of innovation and pioneering treatment. That spirit continues to shape how we deliver care today and how we think about the future of the Trust.

We are now seeking to appoint two Non-Executive Directors at a significant moment in QVH’s development. One role will bring recent and relevant financial expertise and will chair the Finance and Performance Committee. The second role will bring broader strategic leadership and contribute across the work of the Board and its committees.

These appointments come at an important point for the organisation. QVH is progressing a strategic partnership with Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust and Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, designed to support long-term sustainability while preserving the Trust’s distinctive clinical strengths and identity. At the same time, the Board continues to oversee delivery of the Trust’s strategy, respond to financial and operational pressures across the NHS, and support major developments including digital transformation and infrastructure investment.

In this context, the contribution of Non-Executive Directors is vital. Board members provide independent oversight, constructive challenge and sound judgement, while supporting the executive team to deliver safe, high-quality care and sustainable services for the future. We are therefore seeking individuals with senior leadership or board-level experience who bring independence of thought, curiosity and a genuine commitment to public service.

QVH benefits from an outstanding reputation locally, nationally and internationally, built on clinical excellence, innovation and the commitment of our people. As we strengthen the Board during this period of change, we are also committed to ensuring it reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. I warmly encourage applications from individuals from under-represented groups, including those from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.

If you are motivated by the opportunity to contribute to an organisation with a proud heritage and an ambitious future, I encourage you to explore the information within this microsite and to speak with our search partner, Anderson Quigley, to learn more.

Thank you for considering this opportunity to contribute to the future of Queen Victoria Hospital.

Angela McNab
Interim Chair

About us

Queen Victoria Hospital is a specialist NHS hospital providing life-changing reconstructive surgery, burns care and rehabilitation services for people who have been damaged or disfigured through accidents or disease.

Our world-leading clinical teams provide specialist surgery and non-surgical treatment for people across the south east and beyond. We specialise in conditions of the hands and eyes, head and neck cancer and skin cancer, reconstructive breast surgery, maxillofacial surgery and prosthetics.

In addition, the people of East Grinstead and the surrounding area benefit from our expert clinicians treating more common conditions in our areas of specialism. We also provide a minor injuries unit, therapies services and a sleep service.

We are a centre of excellence, with an international reputation for pioneering advanced techniques and treatments.

QVH at a glance

Specialist expertise: QVH is a leading specialist centre for reconstructive surgery and rehabilitation, helping people who have been damaged or disfigured through accidents or disease.

Internationally renowned: We have a proud heritage and are known throughout the world for pioneering new and innovative techniques and treatments.

Local services: We provide a minor injuries unit and other services for people living in and around East Grinstead.

Rated excellent: Patients rate us as one of the top hospitals in the country for quality of care.

1,000 staff: We employ around 1,000 skilled and committed staff, dedicated to helping QVH provide the very best care for our patients, and we are the largest employer in the local area.

7,500 members: As one of the country’s first NHS foundation trusts we are accountable to local people through our public members across Kent, Surrey, East and West Sussex and South London.

At QVH, a behaviours framework has been developed with staff representatives to support the embedding of our values.

Key Strategic Objectives (KSO)

The Trust’s key strategic objectives (KSO’s) have also recently been refreshed to align with the future strategic ambitions and are as follows:

What drives you?

In the following video, we hope it will be helpful for you to hear what our nursing staff and operating department practitioner say about working at QVH:

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for the role of NED, you must live within any of the following electoral wards:

Kent County Council
West Sussex County Council
East Sussex County Council
Surrey County Council
Medway Unitary Authority
Brighton and Hove City Council
London Borough of Croydon
London Borough of Kingston
London Borough of Merton
London Borough of Richmond
London Borough of Sutton
London Borough of Bexley
London Borough of Bromley
London Borough of Greenwich
London Borough of Lambeth
London Borough of Lewisham
London Borough of Southwark
London Borough of Wandsworth

The roles

Non Executive Directors (AQ3536)

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Job Description

Title: Non-Executive Director
Responsible to: Trust Chair
Accountable to: Council of Governors
Location: East Grinstead, West Sussex
Term: 2 years (renewable subject to performance appraisal)
Commitment: minimum 4-5 days per month
Remuneration: £15k pa

Role summary

To work alongside the Chair, executive and non-executive directors of Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust as an equal member of the unitary Board of Directors.
To set the strategy and direction of the trust, monitoring the delivery of those plans and ensuring the maintenance of the appropriate arrangements for promoting standards of governance, behaviour and financial stewardship.
To engage with the stakeholders within and beyond the organisation, building a productive dialogue, building understanding and supporting continuous improvement.
To engage with the Council of Governors with regard to its duty to hold the non-executive directors, individually and collectively to account for the performance of the Board of Directors.

Principal duties of the Board of Directors

Patient experience: ensuring that all QVH patients can expect and receive the highest quality of compassionate care and clinical outcomes.
Strategy: formulating the strategic vision and direction for the organisation, defining the Trust’s strategic objectives and priorities.
Performance: Ensuring high levels of performance by holding the organisation to account for the delivery of the strategy; by being accountable for ensuring the organisation operates effectively and with openness, transparency and candour and by seeking assurance that systems of control are robust and reliable.
Governance: conducting business and making decisions in accordance with the highest standards of public service and with due regard to patients, staff and the communities served by the Trust.
Culture: Shaping a healthy culture for the board and the organisation, that supports staff and enables innovations and improvement.

Principal responsibilities of a non-executive director

To ensure that the Board of Directors complies with its legal, regulatory and financial governance requirements and obligations.
To bring independent oversight and objective challenge to the work of the Board and the performance of the Trust, based on your professional experience and personal judgement.
To be a source of advice (particularly in your area of special expertise and interest) to the Chair, Chief Executive and executive directors and to contribute to the annual performance appraisal of the Chair.
To be an active participant in Board committees, chairing a committee where appropriate; the Chair agrees with each NED which committees they attend.
To be responsible for the appointment, remuneration and, if necessary, removal of the Chief Executive and executive directors and to contribute to the annual performance appraisal of the Chair.
To be accountable to the Council of Governors, individually and collectively, for the performance of the Board of Directors.

Person specification

Experience

Board level or senior experience in a significant sized enterprise; perhaps a listed company, or a public sector body, mutual or charitable trust.
[For one NED role] a recent and relevant background in finance.

Skills

The ability to question, probe and challenge constructively across all areas of the business based on clear thinking and analysis.
Ability to analyse complex information and navigate effectively through a demanding and rapidly changing environment.
Excellent interpersonal, communication and team working skills.

Knowledge

An understanding of and commitment to the NHS, with a solid grasp of the current challenges it faces.
First-hand knowledge of the scope and boundaries of the role of a Non-Executive Director, good corporate governance and the Nolan principles of public life.
Working knowledge of the main components of a complex organisation or business including: strategic planning, financial budgeting, quality assurance and performance and risk management.

Attributes

High level of personal and business integrity.
A supportive and constructive manner.
A personal commitment to ongoing learning and development.

Desirable characteristics

An understanding of the health needs of the local population in Kent, Surrey and Sussex and around East Grinstead.

Time commitment and residence requirement

The time commitment needed to fulfil this role is a minimum of 4-5 days each month. It is the responsibility of each Non-Executive Director to ensure that they can make sufficient time available to discharge their responsibilities efficiently, and prior to taking the appointment the successful candidate should inform the Chair of any other time commitments.

Able to become and/or remain during the term of office a member of the Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust as set out in the trust’s constitution. This means living in Kent, Surrey, Sussex or the London Boroughs of Croydon, Kingston, Merton, Richmond, Sutton, Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich, Lambeth, Lewisham, Southwark and Wandsworth.

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Terms of appointment

The time commitment needed to fulfill this role is a minimum of 4-5 days each month. It is the responsibility of each Non-Executive Director to ensure that they can make sufficient time available to discharge their responsibilities efficiently, and prior to taking the appointment, the successful candidate should inform the Chair of any other time commitments.
£15,000 per annum
2 year term (renewable subject to performance appraisal)

Further Dates:

Board meetings are held on site at QVH from 10:00 – 14:00 on the second Thursday of every other month (first for these roles would be 9 July).

Seminars are held in the months in between, face-to-face at the Trust on the second Thursday of the month from 11:00 to 4:00.

Only in exceptional circumstances, can provision can be made to attend via Teams.

There are six (bi-monthly) Finance and performance committee meetings per year:

5 May 2026
29 June 2026
1 September 2026
2 November 2027
11 January 2027
1 March 2027

2026 Board of Directors Meetings:

9 April 2026 (Seminar)
14 May 2026 (Business)
11 June 2026 (Seminar)
9 July 2026 (Business)
13 August 2026 (Seminar)
10 September 2026 (Business)
08 October 2026 (Seminar)
12 November 2026 (Business)
10 December 2026 (Seminar)
21 January 2027 (Business)
11 February 2027 (Seminar)

You can view QVH’s equality schemes and data here.

How to apply

Anderson Quigley is acting as an advisor to the Trust, an executive search process is being carried out by Anderson Quigley in addition to the public advertisement.

The closing date for applications is 15 April 2026.

Final panel interviews will be held at QVH, the first week of June 2026 (date to be confirmed).

Applications should consist of:

A full CV.
A covering letter (ideally two pages) outlining how you meet the essential experience criteria of the person specification and your motivations in joining the Trust.
Please include details of two referees in either your CV or covering letter, though please note that we will not approach your referees without your prior consent and only should you be shortlisted.
Please also include details of how you will meet the time commitment required.
You must also complete and send a copy of the fit and proper persons declaration which can be accessed here.

Should you wish to discuss the role in strict confidence, please contact Carolyn Coates on +44 (0)7825 871 944 or at carolyn.coates@andersonquigley.com or Helene Usherwood on +44 (0)7719 322 669 or helene.usherwood@andersonquigley.com

Timetable

Closing date	15 April 2026
Preliminary interviews via Teams with AQ	w/c 04 May 2026
Meeting with the Executive Team - VIA Teams	28 May
Stakeholder Group Session - VIA TEams	3 June
Final panel interviews - In person at QVH	4 June

Apply for Non Executive Directors

Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, East Grinstead

Appointment of the Non Executive Directors