Susan Tokley appointed as new Chair of the Institute of Health Visiting

The charity’s Trustee Board is delighted to appoint Susan Tokley as its new Chair. Susan will succeed Pamela Goldberg OBE FRSA who has reached the end of her seven-year term as the Institute of Health Visiting’s Chair of the Board of Trustees.

Susan Tokley, the Institute of Health Visiting’s new Chair of the Board of Trustees

Susan is an experienced leader with a portfolio career that spans several senior roles in the NHS, as well as nurse consultancy work (NMC fitness to practise/medico-legal work/management consultancy). After an early career as a health visitor, Susan moved to commissioning, and on to more senior leadership/executive nursing roles in London. She has a comprehensive understanding of healthcare systems, both as a commissioner and provider across both acute and community health services.

Susan also has a breadth of experience in the charity sector and is currently a Non-Executive Director and Chair of a Housing Association.

Responding to her appointment, Susan Tokley, the new Chair of the Institute of Health Visiting, said:

“I am delighted to be taking on the role of chair at this important juncture for health visiting and the iHV. I am looking forward to working with the board, building on their past work and looking ahead to deliver a strategy that truly impacts on future public health for children and families.”

Welcoming Susan Tokley, Alison Morton, CEO of the Institute of Health Visiting, said:

“I am delighted to welcome Sue to the Institute as its new Chair this week. Sue brings a wealth of experience to the role and joins at a time to help further develop our strategy as the organisation continues to grow. This will build on the great work that Pamela has achieved. I look forward to working with her to implement our plans in the years ahead.

“I am extremely grateful to Pamela for her outstanding contribution and dedicated service to the Institute of Health Visiting. During her time as Chair, the organisation has gone from strength to strength. In particular, I want to thank Pamela for the incredible personal support and encouragement she has given to me and the team at the iHV. Pamela could always be relied on for her sound decision making, as well as her kind and calm approach.”

The Trustee Board would like to thank Pamela Goldberg who has skilfully led the organisation over two consecutive terms as Chair of the board since 2016. During this time, the iHV has grown considerably into the successful organisation that it is today. Pamela has also overseen considerable change, with a new CEO and ways of working during the pandemic. We thank Pamela for her impressive leadership, wisdom and hard work over her period as Chair and wish her every happiness and health in her next ventures.

Pamela Goldberg OBE FRSA, Institute of Health Visiting Chair – 2016-2023

The Board looks forward to the future, working with Susan to lead the Institute of Health Visiting and our work to fulfil our mission to improve health and reduce inequalities for babies, children and families through a strengthened and effective health visiting service.

New opportunity: new Chair of the iHV required

We are seeking a new Chair to pick up the mantle and lead a highly capable, successful and aligned Board and Executive Team into the next era. Our Chair plays an important role in helping us to continue to meet our founding mission. The new Chair will build on our success to date, and help us continue to build a sustainable financial future. They will have an interest in public health and the wellbeing of children and families.

Trustees can serve up to two terms, each of three years, in office before being required to step down. In December 2022, the charity announced that Pamela Goldberg, current Chair of the Institute of Health Visiting, would step down in 2023 when her second term expires.

The role of Chair of the iHV is a voluntary, unpaid, non-executive position. The overall purpose of the Chair’s role is to lead and oversee the work of the iHV Board of Trustees. The Board in turn is responsible for setting the strategic direction and the governance of the iHV.

The Chair will be a figurehead for the organisation and “champion” of the values, vision and mission of the Institute.

This opportunity is for a very special person who wants to do exceptional things at the Institute, which is a flexible and ambitious organisation, as demonstrated by its many achievements.

Candidate Profile

It is expected that the successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the following:

Professional

Proven skills in chairing Board/Senior committee level meetings in industry, NHS/LA, or voluntary sector
Experience in business/organisational leadership at senior level, ideally with a proven record of strategic leadership and business planning
Financial management, funding strategies, funding sources and fundraising
Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage with a wider range of audiences and stakeholders – effective media management
The successful candidate will be credible in the world of health visiting, child and/or public health (a background in health visiting is not required – both our current and former Chair come from different sectors).
Confident, engaging ambassador who relates well with multiple stakeholders
The utmost integrity, diplomacy and ability to articulate the organisation’s strategic vision
Professional credibility across a range of settings, ideally including national settings
Experience of working in or with the charity sector is desirable

Personal

Understands health visiting and its importance in public health
Entrepreneurially minded – can think out of the box and see the bigger picture
Commitment to improving the health of children, families, and communities
A high level of emotional intelligence
Resilient and able to handle conflict to reach consensus
Visionary and leader of people – able to motivate staff and bring people together and with them
Dynamic and inspiring
Quick to learn; able to think on feet
Open to input and new ideas
Supportive of others – collaborative team builder

Expected time commitment and other requirements

Time commitment: 1 -2 days a month

The Board meets quarterly. It is important that the Chair is able to be available to the Chief Executive on a regular basis and for occasional consultations, generally by telephone or email with senior staff. The Chair should also be able to participate in occasional evening and daytime events such as conferences.

Appointment Process

The iHV will run a formal appointment process, producing a short list of those interested in this post, before inviting them to interview.

For application, please provide the following:

A supporting statement: This should clearly set out why you are interested in this opportunity and how you meet each of the criteria set out in the person specification. You should provide evidence in each case (i.e., provide examples, facts, explaining what was achieved and how it helped your organisation’s goals).
A comprehensive CV including details of your achievements in each role.
Details of two references, one of whom is able to testify to your current performance and suitability for this post, e.g., current employer. Please state whether you are happy for us to contact them as part of the appointment process.

Please send these to [email protected] by Monday 13 March 2023

The iHV aims to confirm its new Chair’s appointment following a handover period and the annual financial audit in July 2023.

Further details

If you would like further details, or to have an initial discussion before applying, either with Alison Morton (iHV CEO) or Pamela Goldberg (iHV Chair of the Board) please contact [email protected] directly to arrange an appointment.

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iHV welcomes MMHA’s new Chair

Luciana Berger was unanimously voted in as the new Chair of the Maternal Mental Health Alliance (MMHA) at last week’s extraordinary members’ meeting. Luciana takes over the role as Chair from Dr Alain Gregoire on 1 October 2020.

Luciana Berger

Dr Cheryll Adams CBE, Executive Director iHV, commented:

“This is a fabulous appointment for the MMHA and excellent news for all mums and their babies, wherever they live in the UK. Dr Alain Gregoire’s are ‘very big boots to fill’ but we feel very confident that Luciana will do that, bringing her own slant to chairing the MMHA. Very many congratulations Luciana, we very much look forward to working with you to together improve mental health services across the UK for all mums and their families.”

Other MMHA senior role updates on 1 October

Dr Alain Gregoire takes on the new role as Honorary President of the MMHA when he steps down as Chair.

Also, on the 1October, Emily Slater’s title will change from MMHA Director to CEO. This follows an independent review of MMHA’s management structure and reflects the Board’s expectations of the role as the MMHA has evolved in the last two years.

Pamela Goldberg OBE FRSA appointed as new Chair of iHV

The Trustee Board of the Institute of Health Visiting is delighted to announce the appointment of Pamela Goldberg OBE FRSA as the new Chair of the charity, following the retirement of Sally Russell.

Pamela Goldberg OBE FRSA, the new Chair of the Institute of Health Visiting

Welcoming the new appointment, Dr Cheryll Adams CBE, Executive Director of the Institute of Health Visiting, said:

“I am delighted that Pamela will be joining the Institute as its Chair. She brings a wealth of experience to the role and joins at a time to help further develop our strategy and partnership working – and continue the great work that Sally Russell began. I look forward to working with Pamela to ensure that the Institute continues from strength to strength, making a real difference to the lives of children, their families and communities.”

Read the full news release