Chair - Seymour John : Job Details

ChairWrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (WWL)Approx. 3 days per week | Remuneration: £44,100-£50,000 p.a. (£100,000 pro rata)

Lead with Purpose. Shape the Future. Champion Local and System-Wide Change.

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (WWL) is seeking a new Chair to guide our Board of Directors and Council of Governors through a critical and exciting next chapter.

This is a rewarding opportunity for a seasoned, strategic leader to steer one of Greater Manchester’s most collaborative and high-performing NHS Foundation Trusts - at a time when both national and local health systems are undergoing profound change.

We are proud to serve our communities not just as a healthcare provider but as an anchor institution, with over 70% of our workforce living within five miles of our sites. We work hand-in-hand with our local authority, voluntary sector and education partners to improve outcomes across health, employment, education and wellbeing.

Our Strategy 2030 sets a bold vision for the future of care at WWL - centred on improvement, integration and innovation. As Chair, you will ensure the Board remains focused on our goals to deliver excellent patient care, strengthen community-based services, and lead on transformation - all while navigating increasing system demands, financial pressures and workforce challenges.

At the same time, as the NHS enters a new era with the publishing of the national 10-year plan our new Chair must be prepared to lead in this context: confident at regional and system level, and committed to securing WWL’s voice and autonomy within the wider Greater Manchester Integrated Care System.

We are looking for someone who can:

• Provide visible, compassionate and values-based leadership
• Navigate complex internal and external relationships with clarity and tact
• Support and challenge the Executive team through a period of change
• Uphold our governance, transparency and focus on outcomes
• Represent WWL credibly with national regulators, local partners and communities

You will be joining a committed and cohesive Board with a high-performing executive team and an ambitious CEO. The groundwork is in place - what we need now is a Chair who can help us deliver.

You do not need to be from the NHS, but public sector experience, knowledge of regulated industries or a deep understanding of place-based partnership working would be beneficial. We especially welcome applications from candidates bringing diverse perspectives, life experience, and a reflective, people-first leadership style.

If you believe in the power of public service and want to leave a legacy of health, inclusion and improvement - we’d love to hear from you.

For a confidential discussion, please contact our retained recruitment partner Jonathan Phillips at Seymour John.