Chair - Health Think Tank

What will you be doing?

How can we make prevention a stronger force in improving the nation's health?

Health Action Research Group is an independent health think tank with an ambitious aim: to help create a UK in which everyone, whatever their background or postcode, has a fairer chance of living a long and healthy life.

We are seeking an experienced and committed Chair to help shape the organisation's next phase of development, strengthen its influence and ensure its work makes the greatest possible contribution to preventing mental and physical ill-health.

This is an opportunity for someone who combines sound judgement, strategic leadership and a strong commitment to better health outcomes. Working with the Vice Chair, fellow Trustees and Research Director, you will help set the organisation's direction and develop the relationships and capabilities needed to increase our impact.

The role will particularly suit someone who understands the importance of prevention and can bring experience of health research, policy or interventions, together with a track record of helping organisations develop and fulfil their potential.

As Chair, you will:

• Provide strategic leadership: Work with the Board and Research Director to clarify priorities, develop the organisation's strategy and guide its sustainable development.
• Lead an effective, inclusive Board: chair trustee meetings; support constructive challenge and sound decision-making; and oversee the recruitment and induction of new trustees.
• Help increase our influence: Build relationships with relevant leaders and organisations across health, research, policy and related sectors, and represent Health Action Research Group at appropriate external meetings and events.
• Champion prevention: Ensure our work remains focused on reducing the risk of mental and physical ill-health and addressing the inequalities that contribute to avoidable differences in health outcomes.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for a Chair who brings both relevant experience and the ability to turn a strong sense of purpose into effective strategic leadership.

You will ideally have:

• Experience as a charity trustee, non-executive director or in a comparable governance role, with a sound understanding of the responsibilities of a Board and its Chair.
• A track record of helping an organisation develop, grow, navigate change or increase its impact.
• At least five years of relevant UK experience in health research, health policy or health interventions, with a particular interest in prevention rather than treatment alone.
• The ability to think strategically, exercise independent judgement and guide constructive discussion and decision-making.
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills, including the ability to represent an organisation credibly and engage a range of stakeholders.
• An inclusive leadership style that enables others to contribute, builds trust and supports effective teamwork.
• A genuine commitment to our purpose of improving health through prevention and reducing health inequalities.
• A willingness to commit an average of 3–5 hours per week, including trustee meetings and preparation.

You will also be committed to the Nolan principles of public life.

We are interested in what you have achieved, the judgement you bring and how you could help the organisation progress. We welcome applications from people whose relevant leadership and health experience has been gained through different professional and organisational routes.

What difference will you make?

You’ll play a pivotal role in shaping the future development of an independent health think tank, with a distinctive focus on how best to reduce the risk of mental and physical ill health.

Preventing ill-health and reducing health inequalities requires sustained attention, strong evidence, effective collaboration, and sometimes a willingness to challenge established approaches.

As Chair, you will have an important opportunity to help us develop our contribution to this agenda. Your leadership will help shape our future direction, strengthen our governance and relationships, and create the conditions for our research and ideas to have greater reach and impact.

For someone with the right experience and commitment, this is an opportunity to apply their expertise to a cause with real public value.

Anything else...

Flexible time commitment, apart from Trustee meetings