Aspiring Chairs Programme
The Aspiring Chairs Programme was set up to support NHS non-executive directors who would like to become NHS Board Chairs, increasing their understanding and awareness of the role.
What is the Aspiring Chairs Programme?
The Aspiring Chairs programme was designed to support people with the practical skills needed to become an NHS Board Chair. The programme is made up of:
- In-person sessions where participants work with experienced and expert contributors.
- Hosting - all participants are matched with a host board, where they get time to work alongside a Chair and experience the realities of life in the role.
Programme 3 will launch in April 2025 with Aspiring Chairs from territorial and national Boards from all over Scotland who are interested in becoming an NHS Chair, with support from host Boards. We have also opened the programme up to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service for 2025/26.
Aspiring Chairs Advisory Panel
The advisory panel is made up of:
- The Board Development Team
- Representatives from the Board Chairs
- Scottish Government
- An associate with the Ethical Standards Commissioner
Together, the panel sets out criteria for potential applicants, contribute to the recruitment process, reach out to host Boards, shape the programme and continually reflect on the progress of the programme.
What happens at the in-person sessions?
We have had input from:
- Caroline Lamb, Chief Executive of NHS Scotland and Director-General Health and Social Care, on what makes a successful Chair
- Various Chairs on their experiences and learning in the role as well as how to deal with challenges, transformational change and the application and appointments process
- Newly appointed Chairs and those who have been on the Aspiring Chairs programme
- Cabinet Secretary on what makes a good Chair
- Muckle Media who provided media training and how to answer challenging questions
- Professor John Brown on the Blueprint for Good Governance
- John Sturrock on understanding cultural issues
- Ruth Glassborow and Jo Matthews on the importance of data and quality improvement
- Fiona Duncan, Chair of The Promise Scotland
- Dr Toby Lowe, Visiting Professor in Public Management at the Centre for Public Impact, on human systems learning
- Antony Clark, Executive Director of Performance Audit and Best Value, on scrutiny and assurance
- Ian Bruce, The Ethical Standards Commissioner
- Sarah Davidson, Chief Executive Officer of the Carnegie UK Trust, on leading with compassion and kindness - the role of the Chair
- Jeff Ace, Chief Executive of NHS Dumfries and Galloway, on the relationship between the Chair and Chief Executive
- Jason Leitch, Clinical Director of Healthcare Quality and Improvement and Caroline Lamb, Chief Executive of NHS Scotland and Director-General Health and Social Care, on the priorities for NHS Board Chairs
- Maree Todd, Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport
- Jenni Minto, Minister for Public Health and Women's Health
- John Burns, Chief Operating Officer
Feedback from participants
- Participants have enjoyed the in person sessions due to the speakers, content, pace, and new contacts.
- Participants appreciated hearing from the Chief Executive of NHS, Cabinet Secretary, existing Chairs, and real-world experience.
- Having the space for reflective learning and learning from each other has been important.
- Host board experiences have been positive and allowed for cross Board learning.
We are learning a lot from the Aspiring Chairs programme 1 and 2, for future programmes and for our wider Board Development support.
