South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) is one of the UK’s largest and most comprehensive providers of mental health services, serving a local population of approximately 1.3 million people across south London while also delivering specialist services nationally and internationally. The Trust provides more than 240 mental health and substance misuse services, spanning inpatient, community, outpatient and specialist care. With a strong reputation for clinical excellence, research and innovation, and longstanding partnerships including King’s College London and King’s Health Partners, SLaM combines high quality care, research and community engagement to improve mental health and wellbeing and support recovery. As the Trust develops its next strategic chapter, it remains committed to reducing inequalities, advancing its anti-racist agenda and improving outcomes for the diverse communities it serves. 

SLaM is now seeking a Non-Executive Director to join its Board at an important moment for the organisation and the wider NHS. This appointment will bring independent judgement, constructive challenge and strategic oversight, helping to ensure the Trust delivers safe, high quality care while fostering a compassionate, inclusive and high-performing culture. The successful candidate will provide leadership on organisational development, workforce transformation, leadership development and culture change, strengthening the Board’s oversight of the People Strategy and long-term organisational effectiveness. As Chair of the People Committee, they will oversee matters relating to workforce, organisational culture, staff engagement and leadership development, while also acting as an independent sounding board for the Freedom to Speak Up Guardian and championing openness, transparency and psychological safety across the Trust. 

The successful candidate will bring board-level or executive-level leadership experience gained within a large, complex organisation, together with a significant track record in organisational development, workforce transformation and large-scale culture change. They will have experience of shaping people strategy, developing leadership capability and talent pipelines, and holding senior leaders to account while contributing to strategic decision-making. A strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion will be essential, alongside excellent stakeholder engagement skills, sound analytical judgement and the ability to balance collaboration with independence. Above all, they will bring credibility, curiosity and a genuine commitment to public service and improving outcomes for patients, carers, staff and communities. 

Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust on this appointment. For further information about the role, including details about how to apply, please visit roles.saxbam.com using reference AADASD. Alternatively email belinda.beck@saxbam.com. Applications should be received by noon on Thursday 3 September.