Chair of the Board of Governorsopen

Deadline for applications: 3rd December 2025

Inclusive Boards is delighted to support Health Sciences University in their search for their next Chair of the Board of Governors. 

Health Sciences University (HSU) stands at the forefront of health and care education, research, leadership and practice. Formed in July 2024 through the merger of AECC University College and the University College of Osteopathy, HSU brings together a proud legacy of innovation and global leadership in health education, spanning over a century.

With a diverse community of around 2,500 students and over 400 staff, HSU offers more than 30 courses across allied health, sport and exercise sciences, psychology and mental health, chiropractic, osteopathy, and healthcare leadership and management. HSU’s commitment to lifelong learning is reflected in their growing portfolio of apprenticeships, accredited CPD, and masterclasses, supporting the health and care workforce across the UK and internationally.

HSU are now seeking to appoint a new Chair of the Board of Governors—an individual with the vision, experience, and commitment to help guide HSU through its next phase of growth and impact. The Chair will provide strong leadership to the Board, ensuring effective governance and supporting the University’s mission to shape the future of healthcare through education, research, clinical care, community engagement, and transnational collaboration. 

The Role of the Chair:

As Chair, you will energise and empower the Board of Governors, fostering a culture of openness, collaboration, and constructive debate. You will inspire confidence in governance, ensuring the highest standards of integrity and accountability, while embracing the complexities of financial risk and the fast-evolving landscape of higher education. 

Person Specification

Experience/Background:

• Extensive experience of strategic leadership and governance within a large, complex organisation, ideally with exposure to both public and private sectors.

• Demonstrable financial and commercial acumen, including experience in financial planning, oversight, risk management, and the establishment and monitoring of systems of control and accountability. 

• Proven ability to scrutinise and manage financial risk, ensuring long-term financial sustainability and safeguarding against fraud. 

• A track record of driving innovation and organisational change, with the ability to apply commercial insight to support the University’s achievement of its strategic objectives. 

• Experience of working across sectoral boundaries, leveraging partnerships and opportunities for income generation and commercial development. 

• Previous non-executive and/or chairing experience is desirable.

Skills:

• Excellent chairing and leadership skills, fostering effective decision-making and constructive debate. 

• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to weigh conflicting opinions, assimilate complex information quickly, and communicate decisions clearly. 

• Ability to build positive relationships and a harmonious working environment, engaging openly with students, staff, and stakeholders. 

• High-level networking, negotiation, and advocacy skills, with the ability to influence and command the confidence of diverse groups. 

• Comfortable using digital platforms for communication, decision-making, and accessing board materials. 

Personal Qualities:

• Strong commitment to higher education and university values, including fairness, impartiality, independent judgement, and confidentiality. 

• High degree of personal credibility, gravitas, and integrity, with a track record of openness and honesty. 

• Pragmatic, with sound judgement and a calm, measured approach to duties and responsibilities. 

• Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, and to engaging with the full range of university stakeholders. 

• Resilient, positive, and able to deal constructively with differences of opinion.

​​​​​​How to apply

The recruitment process is being undertaken by Inclusive Boards on behalf of Health Sciences University. If you wish to apply for this position, please supply the following by 11.59pm on 3/12/2025:

• A detailed CV setting out your career history, with responsibilities and achievements.

• A covering letter (maximum two sides) highlighting your suitability for the role and how you meet the person specification. Please note that the covering letter is an important part of your application and will be assessed as part of your full application.

• Please provide details of two professional referees together with a brief statement of their relationship to you and over what period of time they have known you. Referees will not be contacted without your prior consent. 

​​​​​For more information about these opportunities, please download the Candidate Information Pack using the link on this page. 

Please visit www.inclusiveboards.co.uk/opportunities to apply online or send your CV and cover letter to HSU@inclusiveboards.co.uk

Apply now