Salary: £155,000–£174,000 plus up to 15% Performance Related Pay (PRP), capped at £25,000 

Location: Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridgeshire and Euston, London (hybrid)

The Health Data Research Service (HDRS) has been created to transform how health and care data is accessed for research across the UK. Backed by up to £600 million of investment from the UK Government and Wellcome, HDRS will provide a secure, trusted single access point to national-scale health data, accelerating medical breakthroughs, improving patient outcomes and strengthening the UK's position as a global leader in life sciences and health research. 

Operating across all four UK nations, HDRS brings together government, the NHS, researchers, industry and patients to create a more joined-up, secure and efficient health data ecosystem. Public trust, security and collaboration sit at the heart of everything it does.

As a government-owned company operating across all four UK nations, HDRS combines public purpose with commercial ambition. It is now seeking an exceptional Chief Financial Officer to help build the organisation from the ground up.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer will establish the financial foundations of HDRS, ensuring robust governance, stewardship of public funds and long-term financial sustainability. As a key member of the Executive Team, you will provide strategic financial leadership across the organisation, developing the finance function, establishing systems and controls, overseeing complex public and grant funding arrangements, and supporting commercial growth as HDRS evolves.

This is a rare opportunity to shape the financial strategy of a nationally significant organisation at its inception. Alongside ensuring exemplary financial governance and accountability, you will help create an organisation that is agile, commercially credible and equipped to deliver lasting public benefit.

We are seeking an accomplished financial leader with experience operating at Chief Financial Officer level, or equivalent, within a complex organisation. You will bring expertise in financial strategy, governance and organisational performance, together with experience of working in public sector, government-funded or similarly regulated environments. You will have a strong track record of establishing high-performing finance functions, managing complex funding arrangements and providing trusted strategic advice at Board level. A professional accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) is essential.

Above all, you will be a collaborative and values-driven leader, combining commercial acumen with integrity, sound judgement and a commitment to delivering value for money through the responsible stewardship of public funds.

Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to the HDRS on this appointment. For further information about the role, including details about how to apply, please visit roles.saxbam.com using reference GCAYC. Alternatively email belinda.beck@saxbam.com. Applications should be received 12 noon on Monday 24^th August 2026.