Horder Healthcare is looking to appoint a new Chair to the Board of Trustees. The Board of Horder Healthcare welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds to further strengthen the different perspectives around the board table.

The role is voluntary although reasonable costs incurred in order to perform the role effectively will be reimbursed.

The successful candidate will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and will be required to complete a Fit and Proper Person Self Declaration (as provided by the Care Quality Commission). 

ROLE DESCRIPTION – CHAIR of the BOARD of DIRECTORS

 ROLE SUMMARY/PURPOSE

The Chair and Chief Executive share Horder Healthcare’s leadership: 

• The Chair is accountable to the Board of Directors for providing leadership and ensuring that Horder Healthcare meets its legal obligations. The Chair's role is to lead the Board of Directors.  The Chief Executive's role is to lead the Executive in formulating strategy for approval by the Board and for implementing the agreed strategy, and is accountable for operational delivery. 

RESPONSIBILITIES  The Chair will:

• Embody and uphold the values of Horder Healthcar and actively promote the Society’s Charitable Purpos Provide leadership to the Board of Directors and ensure Board effectiveness. Ensure effective governance of the organisation, including the development of effective risk and performance management processes, ensuring that the Board and its Committees achieve the appropriate standards of governance.  Lead strategic discussions on the development of the organisation’s vision and business planning options in a period of unprecedented change within the health sector and the wider economic environment. Facilitate the effective contribution of Directors and promote constructive relationships between the Executives and the Non-Executives, developing a harmonious and open relationship with the Chief Executive. Effectively chair Board meetings, setting the boardroom culture, style and tone of Board discussions to promote constructive debate and effective decision making. Ensure that the Board committees work effectively and add maximum value to the overall work of the Board. In conjunction with the Executive, create the annual Board meeting programme. Ensure the will of the majority of Directors is followed, whilst striving to reach consensus. Pro-actively direct and manage the development of major Board decisions ensuring that ‘due process’ has been applied at all stages of decision making. Enable the Board to hold the Chief Executive to account for the effective management and delivery of Horder Healthcare’s strategic aims and objectives and review their performance on behalf of the Board, annually. Ensure that the Executive establishes clear objectives to deliver agreed strategies and regularly review performance against these objectives. Ensure strategy proposals are appropriately discussed and that those agreed are subsequently reflected in business plans. Ensure that the Board maintains a patient focus, always considering the consequences for patients/clients.  Attend Board meetings (currently nine a year; a minimum of 75% of Board meetings must be attended unless approval for absence has been given by the Board).  Ensure that the Board of Directors and Horder Healthcare meet their obligations, in terms of the Memorandum & Articles of Association, the Charity Commission, Companies House and the Care Quality Commission. Ensure adherence to the organisation’s Terms of Office for Non-Executive Directors (Board Tenure Policy) and that an effective succession plan is in place. Regularly evaluate the performance of the Board of Directors, its Committees, and individual Non-Executive Directors. Lead the performance appraisal of the Chief Executive. Where necessary, assist in the appointment of Executives and Non-Executives.  In conjunction with the Chief Executive, develop relationships with stakeholders and be prepared to take a high profile role in representing the organisation with external stakeholders and those in the wider community. To act in such a manner as to satisfy public trust and confidence, to uphold and enhance the good standing and reputation of Horder Healthcare.

The Chair is also a director and a trustee and has the same responsibilities and duties as other directors/trustees.

Time Commitment

Time commitment is shaped largely by the annual board cycle, with the additional need to respond to individual events as they occur. 

The average level of commitment is in the region of 1-2 days per month, with a maximum level of around 1-1.5 days per week during the annual business planning cycle.

As well as chairing meetings of the full board, the Chair is a full member of the Remuneration Committee and attends the Finance and Resources Committee on an occasional basis (both committees meet three times a year).

Remuneration

This is a non-remunerated position.

Term of Office The position is an appointment by the Board of Directors.  The term of office is three years and may be extended by one additional three-year term as agreed by the Board of Directors; and is subject to a six month probationary period as assessed by the Chair Selection Committee.

Confidentiality Statement You will not use, divulge or communicate to any person, firm or organisation any confidential, technical or commercial information of Horder Healthcare, which relates to the business, organisation, accounts analysis or any other affairs which you have received or obtained while serving as a Director. 

This restriction will continue to apply after the completion of your tenure as a Director but will cease to apply to any information which may come into the public domain through disclosure by the Charity or which is required to be disclosed by due legal process.