Chair

job description

The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care is looking to appoint a new Chair to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). UKHSA is responsible for protecting the UK against infectious diseases and environmental hazards. It is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care.

The Chair is required to provide support and challenge to the Chief Executive of UKSHA whilst working closely with key strategic stakeholders. They must ensure that the board functions well, work closely with the leadership team to achieve agreed objectives, act as an ambassador and where required, as a public face of the organisation in partnership with the Chief Executive. 

Candidates must have a strong career track record of significant delivery and leadership at a senior level within the private, public or voluntary sectors and be able to demonstrate an understanding of the pivotal role UKHSA and other key stakeholders play in the prevention, detection and response to infectious diseases and other threats to the nation’s health.  

You must also have excellent communication skills, possessing sound judgement and a demonstrable ability to lead the board of a high profile, national public body, delivering robust governance and accountability, and developing executive and board performance.  

Remuneration will be £21,000 per annum for a time commitment of 3 to 4 days per month.  The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care determines the length of appointment, which may be for up to a maximum of 4 years.

For more information, please visit the Public Appointments website. If you require an alternative format, please call Ralph Cabrega on 0113 254 5481 or Ben Jones on 0113 254 6557 quoting the reference VAC- 9298.

The closing date for applications is midday on Tuesday, 20 October 2026.

The Department of Health and Social Care values and promotes diversity. We encourage applications from talented individuals from all backgrounds and across the whole of the United Kingdom. Boards of public bodies are most effective when they reflect the diversity of views of the society they serve.