Overview

The Aspiring Board Members Programme is a 12-month leadership development programme designed to support and prepare people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds for Independent Board Member (also called Non-Executive Director) Roles within health bodies in Wales. The programme seeks to enable a wider diversity of individuals to play their part in the future of NHS Wales. The programme includes learning events, board placements, and independent leadership coaching.

The programme will include:

• Learning Events: Focused on building your knowledge, understanding, and confidence to excel as a Board Member.
• Board Placements: Gain hands-on experience with a host board, supported by a sponsor who is an existing board member.
• Independent Leadership Coaching: Personalised coaching to enhance your leadership skills and professional development.

Who can apply

The programme is open to people living in the UK who:

• Identify as being from a Black, Asian or minority ethnic background, including Gypsy, Roma and Travellers.
• Have never held a board position (Board Member/Independent Member/Non-Executive Director) on a public board. This refers only to public appointments; individuals who have held charity trustee roles or other voluntary community roles are welcome to apply.

The programme is designed to support individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, and experience in the health sector is not required to apply.

Applications are particularly welcomed from people who meet the above eligibility criteria who are also members of other groups that are underrepresented in public appointments, including:

• Disabled people
• People under 35 years of age
• People from lower socio-economic groups

Please note: individuals who are currently employed by the NHS in Wales are welcome to apply for the programme. However, Welsh Government policy disqualifies individuals from appointment to the board of a health body if they have been in the paid employment of a health body in Wales in the preceding 12 months. Therefore while we welcome programme applicants currently in such employment, should you be successful and complete the programme you would remain ineligible for appointment to the board of a health body in Wales until 12 months following the end of your relevant employment.

Benefits

You will:

• Further develop your leadership skills and increase confidence
• Learn from experienced board members
• Gain board level exposure in organisations of significant size and complexity
• Improve your understanding of NHS Wales Boards and their governance, roles and responsibilities
• Improve your understanding of the public appointments process and how you can evidence your suitability
• Grow your reputation and build professional networks

Leadership behaviours

This learning Experience will help you to develop your leadership behaviours in the following areas:

Cost

There is no delegate charge and where face-to-face engagement is required, all travel expenses will be covered.

How to apply

Applications for the programme will be open from 4^th March 2025 to 18^th March 2025.

Interested individuals are encouraged to attend one of the virtual drop-in information sessions.