UKPHR Board Director

UKPHR is the UK’s only dedicated regulator of the public health profession. We register public health specialists and consultants and directors of public health, as well as those working as public health practitioners. We have around 1,200 registrants.

UKPHR is a charitable company, established in 2003. We are accredited by the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care. Our register is recognised yardstick of safe, competent practice for public health professionals in the UK. UKPHR’s objective is to protect the public by ensuring that only competent public health professionals are registered.

UKPHR is financially sound and well respected. The Board is currently overseeing an improvement programme to ensure UKPHR works effectively and efficiently and is actively collaborating with public health organisations and employers to support colleagues with workforce challenges.

The role of the Board

The Board sets the overall corporate strategy and approves the annual business plan and budget, holding the executive to account for delivery. Board decisions are made in the best interest of UKPHR and its registrants.

We aim for a diverse Board, representing various skill sets and interests.

The Board is responsible for creating a structure, strategy, policies, and procedures that guide and support good governance and regulatory practice.

The Board is owed a fiduciary duty by its directors, who must work together at Board level to steer UKPHR towards a sustainable future. They must make decisions that are fair and sensible as well as ethical and legal.

The role of a Board Director

This is not an exhaustive list, but key areas of responsibility for directors individually include:

Take care of UKPHR by ensuring prudent use of all assets, including facilities, people, and good will and provide oversight for all activities that advance UKPHR’s effectiveness and sustainability
Make decisions in the best interest of UKPHR
Ensure that UKPHR complies with applicable laws and acts in accordance with ethical practices and principles of equality diversity and inclusion, and that UKPHR adheres to its stated corporate purposes and that its activities advance its mission
Exercise duties diligently, keeping informed about UKPHR’s affairs
Avoid a situation where there is a direct or indirect interest that conflicts, or may possibly conflict, with UKPHR’s interest
Declare the nature and extent of any personal interest in a proposed or existing transaction or arrangement with UKPHR
Owe a duty of confidentiality to UKPHR.
Aim to attend 5-6 Board meetings and 5 Committee meetings per year and prepare appropriately

Person specification for a director includes the following requirements:

Essential

A strong commitment to protecting and improving the health and wellbeing of the public in either a lay or professional capacity
A good understanding of professional regulation and an appreciation of the principles of good regulation
Board or Committee experience demonstrating the ability to think strategically, look outward and hold an organisation to account
Experience of good governance arrangements and willingness to uphold them
Experience of establishing good relations with a range of external stakeholders
Sound judgement, impartiality and common sense
Excellent communication skills and ability to debate cogently using structured arguments, respecting others’ views
Ability to assimilate complex information, weigh evidence and draw conclusions
Evidence of commitment to the Nolan Principles of Public Life
Clear commitment to principles of equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Desirable

Experience of starting up a new body or successfully guiding change in a complex environment
Knowledge of the delivery of services in a public service environment and consumer related interests
Knowledge of Government and its operation and infrastructure