Chair

Help shape a future where every baby born premature or sick has the best chance of survival and quality of life.

Remuneration: Voluntary role / Reasonable expenses paid
Time commitment: 4-year term (max two terms) | Approx. 1 day per month on average

Who we are

Bliss is the UK’s leading neonatal charity, supporting the 90,000 babies born premature or sick each year and the families who care for them. For more than 45 years, we have championed better neonatal care, stronger support for parents, and improvements in policy and practice across the UK.

Our work spans campaigning, family support, professional training and quality improvement. We recently celebrated the introduction of paid Neonatal Care Leave, a landmark change that will benefit thousands of families every year.

We are now delivering our 2025 to 2029 strategy, which places equity at the heart of everything we do. Through our focus on equity of care, equity of voice and equity of support, we are working to address the inequalities that continue to affect neonatal outcomes and experiences for many families.

About the role

As our current Chair reaches the end of their term, we are looking for a new Chair to help guide the next chapter of Bliss. Working closely with our Chief Executive, Board of Trustees and senior leadership team, you will provide governance leadership and strategic oversight, as well as acting as an external ambassador. You will help ensure the organisation remains focused on delivering impact for babies and families while continuing to strengthen its influence, sustainability and reach.

You will lead an engaged Board, creating space for constructive challenge, inclusive discussion and effective decision-making. You will also act as an ambassador for Bliss, building relationships with supporters, partners and stakeholders who share our ambition for neonatal care.

What we are looking for

We are looking for an experienced Chair, Trustee or senior leader with strong governance experience, strategic judgement and the ability to bring people together around a shared purpose.

You will have the presence and credibility to lead an engaged Board, build a strong partnership with the Chief Executive, and create an environment where constructive challenge, collaboration, and effective decision-making can flourish. You will be an excellent communicator, a thoughtful ambassador and someone who can help Bliss strengthen its influence, relationships and long-term impact.

Knowledge of the health sector or wider health policy landscape would be valuable, but it is not essential. More important is your ability to provide outstanding governance, support organisational success and help guide Bliss through its next chapter.

Above all, you will share our commitment to improving outcomes for babies born premature or sick and their families.

Approximately one day per month on average, with some additional commitment during the first year whilst the current governance review concludes and the new Chair becomes established in the role.

The role is voluntary and the time commitment will vary. As a guide, however, the commitment is as follows:

• Five Bliss board meetings a year, generally in the afternoon (March, May/June, July, October, December). Typically, three of these meetings are held in person in London, and two are held virtually on Teams.

• Three Bliss Scotland board meetings a year, held virtually on Teams.

• An in-person board away day once a year, typically held in September.

• The Chair is expected to chair all main board and Bliss Scotland board meetings and work closely with the Chief Executive and Vice Chair on the preparation of papers and meeting follow-up. The Vice Chair is supported by an experienced Vice Chair, with responsibilities shared appropriately to ensure effective governance and continuity.

• The Chair is expected to maintain close oversight of the Board’s committees. In practice, this would normally include attendance at key committee meetings, particularly Finance, Risk & Fundraising, together with participation in other committee meetings where appropriate or where the Chair feels their attendance would add value. The precise approach will be agreed with the incoming Chair as part of the wider governance review currently underway.

• The Chair will also be invited to attend a range of other events arranged by the charity, including fundraising events such as the London Marathon, Baby Charter accreditation neonatal unit visits, parliamentary receptions and networking events. The expectation is that the Chair can represent the Board at one to two of these events at least during the course of the year.

• In addition, the Chair is expected to work closely with the Vice-Chair, officers of the Board, Chief Executive and his or her senior management team to support the development of the charity through ongoing advice and support, including monthly meetings with the Chief Executive and other ad hoc meetings or phone calls as required.

• The Chair role is for an initial 4-year term, with the opportunity then to be re-appointed for a second 4-year term (the maximum amount of time on the Board for any Trustee, including the Chair, is 2 terms of 4 years).

Bliss is currently undertaking a review of its governance arrangements, including its Articles of Association. The incoming Chair will have an important opportunity to help shape how the Board continues to evolve, building on the significant progress already made whilst ensuring governance arrangements remain proportionate, inclusive and effective.

Dates of full Board meetings for the remainder of the year are:

• Wednesday 21st October: 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. | Board meeting, in person in London.

• Wednesday 9th December: 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. | Board meeting, online.

Please click on the link to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you will find full details of the role and how to apply.

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Friday 28th August 2026.