Support one of the UK’s leading children’s hospital charities at a time of major investment and ambition
Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity is seeking to appoint a Trustee with significant research, clinical, academic or healthcare innovation expertise to join its Board and Research sub-committee. This is an exciting opportunity to support one of the UK’s leading children’s hospital charities at a time of major investment and ambition, including a £5 million commitment over five years to pioneering research at Sheffield Children’s.
The successful candidate will provide strategic oversight, scrutiny and constructive challenge to help ensure charitable research funding is applied appropriately and delivers meaningful impact for children, young people and their families. We are looking for someone with senior-level experience in medical research, academic leadership or healthcare innovation and a strong commitment to improving outcomes through excellence in healthcare, innovation and research.
Who we are
Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity supports the life-changing work of Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, one of only three dedicated children’s hospital trusts in England. The Trust provides specialist healthcare for children and young people across South Yorkshire, the wider region and the UK, spanning hospital, community, mental health and specialist services. The Charity helps make this extraordinary work possible by funding pioneering research, specialist medical equipment, patient and family support, enhanced environments and new facilities that go beyond what NHS funding alone can provide. As the Trust marks 150 years of caring for children and young people and the Charity celebrates its 50th anniversary, this is an exciting time to help shape the future of children’s healthcare, research and patient experience.
About the role
As a Trustee, you will share collective responsibility for the governance, strategic direction and financial sustainability of Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity. This appointment focuses on research, supporting the Charity’s oversight of its £5 million investment in pioneering research at Sheffield Children’s and helping ensure charitable funds are used appropriately, effectively and in line with the Charity’s objectives.
- Provide strategic oversight, scrutiny and constructive challenge on research funding decisions
- Contribute to the Board’s wider governance, risk, performance and strategic decision-making responsibilities
- Serve as a member of the Research sub-committee, helping to ensure funded research delivers meaningful impact for children, young people and families
- Act as an ambassador for the Charity and support its profile, reputation and future ambitions
Who we are looking for
We are looking for someone with significant senior-level experience in medical research, academic leadership, clinical practice or healthcare innovation and a strong commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people. You will bring the insight, judgement and credibility to independently scrutinise research funding decisions and help the Charity ensure its investment delivers meaningful benefits for patients and families.
- Understand the relationship between healthcare, research and patient outcomes
- Bring experience of research governance, research funding, clinical trials, translational research, academic leadership or applying research into clinical practice
- Demonstrate sound judgement and the ability to analyse complex information
- Be confident providing constructive challenge and independent scrutiny
- Work collaboratively as part of a Board and be committed to high standards of governance, accountability and integrity
Time commitment
Board meetings are held four times per year, in person in Sheffield. The successful candidate will join the Board’s Research sub-committee. Sub-committee meetings are held quarterly and are usually held online. In addition, Trustees are encouraged to attend events and represent the charity to enhance its profile.
View our Annual Report 2025To view the role description and person specification, please go to the ‘How to Apply’ tab above, fill in your details and download the candidate pack.
For further information or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultants at Peridot Partners:
Laura Iliff | laura.iliff@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07399 398905
Marie McQuade | marie@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07903 442646
Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity is a registered charity in England and Wales (No. 505002).
Welcome from the Chair of Trustees
Dear candidate,
Our charity raises funds to support the work of Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust. Through the generosity of our supporters, we fund pioneering research, specialist medical equipment, improvements to clinical environments and new facilities that go beyond what NHS funding alone can provide. Sheffield Children’s is one of only three dedicated children’s hospital trusts, providing specialist care to children and young people from Sheffield, the wider region and across the UK. Through its clinical expertise and research, Sheffield Children’s also plays an important role in shaping the future of paediatric care.
Since becoming Chair in August 2023, I have been struck by our supporters’ generosity and the commitment of our Trustees, staff and volunteers. This year, we are celebrating 50 years of supporting Sheffield Children’s, whilst the Trust marks 150 years of caring for children and young people. Alongside these significant milestones, we are pursuing ambitious plans to grow our income, profile and impact over the years ahead.
Research is central to those ambitions. It can transform the lives of children and young people not only here in Sheffield, but across the UK and far beyond. Research also gives the charity the opportunity to engage new audiences and attract a broader range of funders who share our ambition to transform children’s healthcare. In 2024, the charity committed £5 million over five years to support pioneering research at Sheffield Children’s. This is a significant investment for our charity, designed to help accelerate discoveries, improve treatments and translate research into better outcomes for children and young people.
Professor David Barnett will soon complete his term as a Trustee, after more than eight years of distinguished service to the Charity. During that time, his expertise, insight and wise counsel have made an invaluable contribution to the Board and to our approach to research.
We are now seeking a new Trustee with significant senior-level experience in medical research, academic leadership, clinical practice or healthcare innovation. In addition to sharing collective responsibility for the Charity’s governance and long-term strategic direction, the successful candidate will join our Research sub-committee. They will provide effective oversight of our research investment, ask thoughtful and constructive questions and help ensure that the funds entrusted to us deliver the greatest possible benefit for children and young people.
Thank you again for your interest in this important role.
Yours sincerely,
Jonathan McMahon
Chair of Trustees
Thank you for your interest in this role. Please download the Role Description and Person Specification.
To formally apply, please submit a CV and supporting statement (ideally maximum 2 sides of A4 each) that clearly outlines your suitability for the role against the criteria provided in the person specification, including your interest and motivation in applying for this position.
Please include your home address, contact email and mobile.
Please ensure that your application is emailed to response@peridotpartners.co.uk, inserting “Application: Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity — Trustee (Research)” into the subject field. You will receive an acknowledgement of receipt within 2-3 days. If you do not receive an acknowledgement, please contact our admin team.
For further information about the role or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultants at Peridot Partners:
Laura Iliff | laura.iliff@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07399 398905
Marie McQuade | marie@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07903 442646
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Timetable
Closing date: 9 a.m. Thursday 24th September
Candidates informed of outcome: Wednesday 30th September
Interviews (in person): Monday 19th October
Equal Opportunities Monitoring
Peridot and Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity are committed to promoting equality and diversity. To help us raise awareness and support a culture that is diverse and recognises and develops the potential of all, we need to appreciate the profile of candidates who apply for positions. We will send you an equality monitoring survey at the point of receiving your application and at the time of placement. This ensures that our processes remain inclusive and equitable throughout and provides us with important data to help us showcase our impact.
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