Chief Executive/Accountable Officer recruitment

Dear Candidate,

Thank you for your interest in the role of Chief Executive / Accountable Officer for the Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly ICB Cluster — a role of exceptional significance at a pivotal time of change for our health and care systems.

The South West Peninsula Cluster was established in response to national NHS reforms to consolidate leadership, reduce running costs and strengthen strategic commissioning across England. Our cluster brings together NHS Devon and NHS Cornwall & Isles of Scilly with a single Board, shared leadership model and joint operating arrangements ahead of an anticipated formal merger in 2026/27. This moment represents both continuity and renewal: we remain fully committed to high‑quality, compassionate care for our communities while reshaping our system for the future. Our priority is unchanged, improving the health and wellbeing of the c. 2 million people across the peninsula but the way we work must evolve to ensure stability, sustainability and long‑term transformation.

We are now seeking a highly seasoned NHS system interim change- management leader to guide this next phase of cluster development and to steward both ICBs through a period of significant operational, financial and organisational change. This interim appointment will play a vital role in strengthening leadership, embedding our new operating model and ensuring we deliver the commitments set out in our 2025/26 plans and the wider Model ICB Blueprint.

About the Role

As Cluster CEO/AO, you will be accountable to both ICB Boards for leading the Devon & Cornwall/Isles of Scilly cluster, delivering system performance, financial sustainability and high‑quality commissioning across both ICBs. You will help finalise and implement our redesigned ICB structure and support our work with PwC and the Devon senior team to rework the 2026/27 plan and the 3-year clinical service redesign work, ensuring alignment with NHSE financial parameters.

You will also lead the ongoing development of our future clinical service model, strengthen cross‑ICB system working, and support the design of potential options such as Integrated Health Organisations (IHOs), working closely with NHS England, regional teams and local partners. In addition, you will oversee the appointment of the new cluster executive team.

Who We Are Looking For

We are seeking an established, exceptional NHS leader who brings:

• Significant experience as a CEO/AO or equivalent NHS board‑level leader, with a track record of delivering change, stability and improvement in complex environments.
• Extensive change management expertise, reflecting the core purpose of ICBs as strategic commissioners and service re-design.
• Deep understanding of wider NHS and partner ecosystems, with insight into Trusts, local authorities, VCSE partners and the realities of system‑level transformation.
• Strong grasp of the three major strategic shifts underpinning the NHS long‑term direction: Acute to Community, Illness to Prevention, and Analogue to Digital, in line with the national 10‑year plan and Model ICB Blueprint.
• Outstanding system‑leadership credentials, able to convene partners, build alignment, and communicate with clarity and compassion — especially during turbulence or uncertainty.
• Demonstrable experience leading organisational redesign, workforce transitions or major service transformation across complex systems.
• As well as a substantive post we’re looking for an Interim with availability to begin by mid‑March 2026 (ideally earlier), to ensure continuity of leadership and momentum for our cluster’s next phase.

Our Commitment

As Chair, I want to emphasise that this is not solely a period of consolidation. It is a moment of opportunity and true transformation. Across the peninsula we have exceptional people — clinicians, staff, leaders, communities — who continue to innovate and serve despite challenging circumstances. We are building on strong foundations and shaping a system that truly works together for its population. This interim leadership role is pivotal to strengthening that journey.

If you are motivated by leading change in complex organisations, transformation, collaboration and public service; if you bring accountability, credibility, stability and strategic edge; and if you are energised by the chance to shape the future of health and care for our peninsula, I would be delighted to hear from you.

Yours sincerely,
John Govett
Chair — NHS Devon & NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
South West Peninsula ICB Cluster