Applications are invited from “exceptional leaders” interested in the opportunity to lead the development of community health services in Shropshire.

The chance to serve as Chair of Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust (Shropcom) has come following the decision of current postholder Mike Ridley to step down at the end of the year, having led the organisation since its creation in 2011.

Shropcom provides a wide range of community services to people in Shropshire and Telford, and Children’s services in Dudley. Its new chair will have an exceptional opportunity to lead and help shape the future of these services as part of a wider system transformation.

The organisation is looking for someone with a track record of leading complexity with a wide and diverse population. It is looking for someone who is passionate about person-centred care and able to operate as a senior system leader to ensure that community services are central to the development of health and care in Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and Dudley.

Applications are invited from candidates from diverse backgrounds, and the Trust would value hearing from people with a wide variety of experiences in both the commercial and public sector.

Outgoing chair Mike Ridley said: “It has been a real honour for me to have served as chairman of this wonderful Trust from the very beginning.

“I have enjoyed every minute of it, which is why it has been such a wrench for me to make the decision to step down. As I was born in the same year as the NHS was created, and as we now look forward to new initiatives to bring care closer to people’s homes, I feel it is timely to hand over the reins to a new Chair.

“I will stay in post until 31 December, at which point I will stand down and hand over the baton to a new person.

“It has been a joy to meet and work with so many committed and dedicated people and I wish Shropcom and Shropshire’s health services every success in the future.”

For an informal and confidential conversation about the role, candidates can contact Miriam Walker from NHS Improvement – the organisation that leads on making the appointment – by calling 0300 123 2059 or emailing Miriam.walker@nhs.net. To arrange an appointment to talk to current chairman Mike Ridley, they can contact the Chief Executive’s Office on 01743 277688.

For an information pack and details of how to apply, go to www.improvement.nhs.uk/news-alerts/chair-shropshire-community-health-nhs-trust/.