NHS England publishes new NHS board member appraisal guidance

On 1 April 2025, NHS England (NHSE) published updated NHS board member appraisal guidance, marking a significant step toward a more consistent and unified approach to appraisals across NHS organisations. The new framework aims to strengthen effective governance, leadership, and management, ultimately improving health and care outcomes.

A unified approach to NHS board member appraisals

This updated appraisal guidance for NHS board members replaces the previous chair-specific version and now applies to all NHS board roles, including chairs, chief executives, executive directors, and non-executive directors. It establishes a single, clear framework for completing annual board member appraisals and sets out comprehensive expectations and recommendations.

Alignment with national leadership standards

The NHS board member appraisal guidance is aligned with national standards, including the NHS Leadership Competency Framework’s six domains and the Fit and Proper Person Test (FPPT). It also responds to key recommendations from the Messenger Review and incorporates stakeholder feedback.

Flexible implementation

Organisations can choose to embed the framework’s principles into their local appraisal processes or adopt the official NHSE templates and editable forms in full. While the framework is effective from 1 April 2025, appraisals already completed or underway before this date do not need to be redone.

Key submission dates

• ICB and NHS trust chair appraisals must be submitted to NHS England by 30 June 2025.
• ICB and NHS trust non-executive director (NED) appraisals are due by 30 September 2025.
• Appraisals submitted to NHSE will be reviewed and endorsed by the relevant regional directors. Appraisal forms for all other roles (including FT chairs and NEDs) should be retained locally.

The full NHS board member appraisal framework is available on the NHS England website.

Support from the NHS North West Leadership Academy

The NHS North West Leadership Academy (NHS NWLA) offers a comprehensive suite of support to help your organisation develop its board members and help them achieve their appraisal objectives.

We provide:

• Executive coaching: Tailored 1:1 support to develop personal leadership effectiveness.
• Expert facilitation: Support for board development sessions, strategy days, and organisational alignment.
• Media skills: Practical training to enhance confidence and capability when engaging with the media.
• Full-day leadership development sessions: Covering critical and timely topics such as system leadership, psychological safety, and leading through change.
• Leadership networks: Including the North West CEO Network and the North West First Time CEO Network, offering peer support, shared learning, and collaboration.

For more information or to access our offers, please contact us at: [email protected].

Deputy and Aspiring Director Development Offer

Looking to strengthen your leadership pipeline? Our Deputy and Aspiring Director Development Offer provides modular development for Deputy Directors and those preparing for board-level roles. This offer is designed to enhance effectiveness in current roles while also building the strategic insight, confidence, and decision-making capabilities needed for future board appointments. With access to structured learning, mentorship, and targeted skill-building opportunities, this programme helps shape the next generation of NHS board members today.

For further details, email: [email protected].