Non Executive Director

Job summary

Thank you for your interest in joining Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust as a Non-Executive Director.

This is an important time for our Trust and for the wider NHS. We are working in a challenging environment, with significant changes taking place across health and care. At the same time, we have a real opportunity to think differently, strengthen our partnerships and continue improving the care and support we provide to the communities we serve.

We are seeking two new Non-Executive Directors who will bring independent thinking, constructive challenge and sound judgement to our Board. Across the two appointments, we are looking to strengthen the Board's collective expertise in:

• Medical or clinical leadership and practice.
• The NHS and the wider health and care environment.
• Primary care or social care.
• Organisational development and culture.

These areas of expertise are important, but they are not the whole of what we are looking for. How you work, the values you bring and your commitment to the people we serve will matter just as much. Our values are simple but fundamental: we are caring and compassionate; respectful; honest and transparent. We want Board members who will live those values, keep service users and carers at the heart of their thinking, listen to different perspectives and help create an inclusive culture in which people feel valued and able to speak openly.

Main duties of the job

We particularly welcome applications from people whose backgrounds, perspectives and lived experiences will broaden the thinking of our Board and help us better reflect and understand the diverse communities we serve.

If you share our values and feel your experience could help us meet the challenges and opportunities ahead, I would be delighted to hear from you.

Darren BestChair, Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust

You can also view a video from Darren telling you a little bit more about the role here

If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact Debbie Henderson, Director of Communications and Corporate Affairs via email at debbie.henderson@cntw.nhs.uk

Should you be interested in this role and would like to have an informal discussion with Darren Best, Chair, please contact the Corporate Affairs Team via email at corporateaffairs@cntw.nhs.uk

Closing date for applications: 6th November 2026

Interviews will be held over two days during week commencing 7th December 2026

Please note: successful candidates will be subject to the NHS England Fit and Proper Person Test Framework requirements NHS England NHS England Fit and Proper Person Test Framework for board members

About us

You will need to be comfortable working as part of a unitary Board, sharing collective responsibility for the Trust's decisions and performance. You must be able to offer robust but constructive challenge, work collaboratively with Executive and Non-Executive colleagues, and recognise that no organisation can meet the needs of its communities on its own.

We aim to attract and retain a diverse, talented and committed workforce, who are caring and compassionate, and therefore able to meet the demands of the modern NHS now and in the future. In return we can offer a dynamic working environment in which to build a career.

Job responsibilities

Applications should be submitted by sending a full CV (covering a minimum of six-year employment history) and a supporting statement outlining how requirements of the role can be met.

All CVs and supporting statements should be sent via email to corporateaffairs@cntw.nhs.uk CVs submitted in the absence of the supporting statement will not be considered for interview.

Please find attached job description and also ensure to read the attached 'Recruitment Pack'.

Closing date: Friday 6th November at midnight

Job description