The hunt is on for a new chair to lead the board at the NHS trust in charge of hospitals and health services in north and West Cumbria.
The three day a week role has a salary of £51,400 a year and the appointment will be for two to four years, subject to an annual performance review.
The chair of the North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust oversees the strategic direction and culture of the organisation and holds the chief executive and other executive directors to account for performance.
The trust is responsible for the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle and Whitehaven’s West Cumberland Hospital, plus community hospitals.
The post became vacant after the previous chair, Steven Morgan, stepped down because of ill health.
Candidates will be expected to have considerable board level experience of leading in large complex organisations, and be able to demonstrate a commitment to the values and principles of the NHS.
The governors of the trust will make the appointment.
Lead governor Jacqueline Nicol said: “Appointing the chair is one of the most important functions of the trust’s governors council and it is a responsibility that we take very seriously.
“It is essential that we find the right person. We will be looking for candidates who have the right experience and gravitas, but who also recognise that a positive culture is absolutely key to helping our organisation through its current challenges and towards a more positive future.
“It is a big job, but we are building a very strong team, and I am confident that with the right chair onboard we can really push forward with our improvement journey”.
Interim Chief Executive Trudie Davies added: “The relationship between the chair and the chief executive is fundamental to the future success of our organisation.”
The selection process is being steered by recruitment company Gatenby Sanderson.
