We are searching for a new Chair of Trustees to lead the organisation into its next phase of impact and influence

The Burdett Trust for Nursing is the UK’s largest grant making trust dedicated to nursing. Our founding Chair, Alan Gibbs, is stepping back after 24 years of leadership.

Established in 2002, the Burdett Trust for Nursing has awarded more than £65 million to support nurse led innovation, leadership and research, empowering nurses and midwives to improve care, equity and wellbeing across society. As the Trust approaches 25 years of grant making, it is embarking on a refreshed strategy that is sensitive to the unprecedented challenges facing nursing today. 

The appointment follows the decision of the Trust’s founding Chair, Alan Gibbs, to step back after 24 years of leadership. The new Chair will work closely with Chief Executive Professor Clare Cable, who joined the Trust in the Autumn of 2024. 

The successful candidate will provide strategic leadership to the Board, champion the Trust’s vision of a world where nurses are innovators shaping a healthier society, and act as an ambassador for the organisation across health, social care and philanthropy. They will also play a key role in strengthening governance, supporting effective grant making and helping the Trust build impactful partnerships in the UK and internationally. 

This voluntary role offers a unique opportunity to influence the future of nursing at a national and global level. The Trust is seeking an individual with experience of chairing charity boards or sub-committees, an understanding of grant making and investment governance, and a strong commitment to the values of equity, collaboration and innovation. 

Closing date for applications: Monday 27 April 2026, 10am 

Download appointment pack