10.08.16
FTSE 100 ‘top talent’ to join trust boards in non-exec recruitment push
Top talent from major companies in the UK, such as IBM and Barclays, could soon join the NHS as non-executive directors under new plans being explored by NHS Improvement (NHSI).
In a letter sent to providers last week, Helen Buckingham, NHSI’s executive director of corporate affairs, said chairman Ed Smith was already in talks with FTSE 100 companies and service organisations to identify and encourage those “who might not otherwise have considered non-executive director roles in the NHS”.
According to her, NHSI already has over 15 major companies interested in supporting the non-exec director programme, with talks already progressing with IBM and Barclays.
The move is part of NHSI’s prioritisation of supporting effective leadership across trusts and foundation trusts, which Buckingham described as “a pre-requisite of a sustainable NHS that provides high-quality care”.
In her letter, she added that there is particular scope for non-executive appointments to FT boards.
As well as recruiting people from large companies, Buckingham said other ways to grow the non-exec pool is by improving access to talent.
“We have a large and growing database of board-ready people across the country interested in non-executive roles in the NHS,” she said. “We will match your requirements with the attributes of the best people on the database to help ensure you have the best possible field of candidates for your roles.
“We will also be happy to receive details of great potential candidates that you have identified but who might not be the right fit for your board right now. Our talent database is one way of keeping talented people engaged in the NHS for now and the future.”
NHSI will also be publishing providers’ vacancies on both its and the Cabinet Office’s websites, with details of these also sent out to mailing list subscribers.
Importantly, as part of its push for a 50/50 gender balance by 2020, NHSI will also be working with providers to assess how they can improve the diversity levels of their non-executive teams.
The regulator will also shortly be sharing details of its strategy for supporting whole board development, which Buckingham said will reflect the Well-led Framework and the Healthcare Leadership Model.
(Image: c. Metro Centric)
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