Non Executive Director - Digital

Non-Executive Director – Digital County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust Remuneration: £15,015 per annum Time commitment: Approximately 4 days per month Term: 3 years Closing date: 23 October 2026 Interviews: 13 November 2026 County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust is seeking to appoint an experienced and strategically minded Non-Executive Director with a strong digital and technology background to join its Board. One of the largest integrated care providers in England, the Trust provides hospital and community-based services across County Durham and Darlington and plays an important role as both a local partner and system leader. This appointment comes at an important point in the Trust's development. The Board is strengthening its capacity and capability as the organisation continues its work to improve governance, organisational culture, risk management and the quality of services provided to patients and communities. The Role As a Non-Executive Director, you will work alongside the Chair, fellow Non-Executive Directors and Executive Directors as an equal member of the Board, sharing collective responsibility for the strategic direction, performance and success of the organisation. You will provide independent judgement, constructive challenge and strategic advice across the full range of Board responsibilities, including quality, performance, finance, governance, risk, organisational culture and the delivery of the Trust's strategy. A particular focus of this appointment will be digital, technology and data. The Trust has identified the need to strengthen its Board-level digital capability and accelerate its digital agenda. The successful candidate will play an important role in this work, including through membership of the Trust's newly established Digital and Data Committee. The Person We are seeking an individual with extensive, first-hand experience of developing and executing a digital systems strategy, supported by a sufficiently strong technical background. You are likely to have operated in a senior digital, technology, IT, data or transformation role within a large and complex organisation and will have experience of using digital solutions to support wider strategic objectives. Candidates should be able to demonstrate:

• Senior leadership and/or Board-level experience within a large and complex organisation.
• Significant experience of developing and implementing digital or technology strategy.
• A strong understanding of how digital solutions, technology and data can support organisational strategy and transformation.
• Experience of leading strategy development and/or significant organisational change.
• Experience of working with complex stakeholders and partners.
• An understanding of good corporate or clinical governance and its effective application within a Board environment.
• Experience of holding others to account for delivery while balancing quality, performance and financial considerations.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the confidence to probe, challenge and influence constructively.
• Highly developed analytical skills, sound judgement and the ability to bring an independent and enquiring perspective to complex issues.
• Personal resilience and the ability to operate effectively within a complex and highly scrutinised environment. How to Apply A link to the recruitment microsite with a downloadable pack can be seen here: https://nhs.nh.castlepeak-group.com/county-durham-and-darlington-associate-non-executive-director-digital/ Castle Peak Group is acting as retained search partner to County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust for this appointment. To apply, please submit:
• Your CV
• A covering letter outlining your suitability for the appointment Applications should be sent to: James Carss Chief Executive Officer, Castle Peak Group james.carss@castlepeak-group.com Closing date: 23 October 2026 Interviews: 13 November 2026