Every year, millions of people rely on HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) to provide access to justice through the administration of criminal, civil and family courts in England and Wales, as well as the reserved unified tribunals across the United Kingdom. Working in partnership with an independent judiciary, HMCTS plays a fundamental constitutional role in supporting a fair, efficient and accessible justice system.

HMCTS is an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice and is responsible for supporting the effective operation of courts and tribunals across the justice system. The organisation delivers services that affect victims and witnesses of crime, defendants accused of crimes, businesses involved in commercial disputes, families in crisis, and individuals seeking to assert their legal rights. HMCTS is also playing a central role in one of the most ambitious reform programmes across government, modernising services, improving access to justice and driving efficiency while preserving judicial independence.

We are seeking an exceptional individual to serve as the Chair of the HMCTS Board. The Chair provides strategic leadership to the Board and works closely with the Chief Executive, executive team, judiciary and other Board members to help shape the future direction of the organisation. The role includes ensuring effective governance and accountability, supporting the delivery of organisational priorities, and providing constructive challenge, scrutiny and oversight. The Chair also acts as an ambassador for HMCTS, building strong relationships across government, the judiciary, the wider legal sector and other key stakeholders.

You will bring a strong track record of leading a large and complex customer-focused organisation within the private, public or voluntary sectors. You will have the credibility and judgement to operate effectively at board level, influencing senior stakeholders and navigating complex relationships. You will demonstrate excellent diplomatic and relationship-building skills, strong commercial awareness, and highly developed analytical capability. Evidence of senior leadership achievement, together with personal integrity, resilience and the ability to provide both support and constructive challenge, will be essential.

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Recruitment Timetable

Closing date
9am on Wednesday 7 October 2026

Meetings with the CEO
Week commencing 30 November 2026

Final panel
Friday 11 December 2026

Appointment Confirmed
January/February 2027

How to apply

Before you apply

To help you succeed, we have provided application guidance on our Public Appointments campaign page.

You'll need to create an account on the UK Government's Public Appointments website or sign into your account, and complete the following:

• equality information
• information relating to any outside interests or potential reputational issues

You will also be asked to provide diversity data, and to declare any potential conflicts of interest or reputational issues.

If you have not completed the steps above, your application will not be accepted.

We will ask you to check and confirm your personal details to ensure your application is accurate.

You will also have the opportunity to make a reasonable adjustment request or apply under the disability confident scheme before you submit your application.

You must also apply via the GatenbySanderson website by 09:00 on Wednesday 7 October 2026.

Should candidates like to discuss the role in more details before submitting an application, please contact: hmctsresearch@gatenbysanderson.com

Any applications submitted after the closing date, or that are missing any of the following documents, will not be accepted. A CV or equivalent biographical information (maximum two sides A4, minimum 12 font) setting out your career history and including details of any professional qualifications. Provide a summary of why you are interested in the role and how you meet the specification and essential criteria. This can be in a form that allows you most ably to present your interest and credentials, for example a short, bullet-point slide presentation (no more than 5 slides), a short video (no more than 2 mins) or supporting letter (no more than two A4 pages, minimum 12 font). Make sure you refer to the contents of this document and provide specific examples.