Could this be the Board CFO opportunity you have been working towards?

AWP is seeking an ambitious, values-driven finance leader to become our next Chief Financial Officer.

We are one of the country's largest specialist mental health, learning disability and autism providers, serving around 1.9 million people across the South West. We have an established leadership team, strong foundations and an ambitious agenda for transformation, productivity and sustainable improvement

As our CFO, you will join the Board as a voting Executive Director and play a central role in shaping the future of the Trust. You will lead our financial strategy and ensure that our resources are aligned with our ambitions for quality, safety and improved outcomes. Your wider portfolio includes contracting, procurement, corporate governance, enterprise risk and information governance, giving you significant influence across the organisation.

We need an outstanding NHS finance professional, but we are equally interested in the leader behind the technical expertise. You will need the confidence to offer constructive challenge, the judgement to navigate difficult choices and the ability to bring people with you.

You might already be a CFO. Equally, you might be an experienced deputy who has built the breadth, credibility and judgement to make the step into your first substantive Board CFO position.

If you are looking for an opportunity where finance is integral to strategy, transformation and better patient care, we would be delighted to hear from you.

For a confidential discussion, please contact:

Carmel Bell, Associate Researcher

E: carmel.bell@gatenbysanderson.com

T: +44 (0) 7917 826 639

Melanie Shearer, Partner

E: melanie.shearer@gatenbysanderson.com

T: +44 (0) 7785 616 548

Julia St Clare, Senior Consultant and Research Lead

E: julia.stclare@gatenbysanderson.com

T: +44 (0) 7807 631 564

To view the job description and person specification, please scroll to the bottom of the page, tick to agree to the privacy policy, then click 'Continue to full details'.

Documents

Welcome letter.pdf

Fit and Proper Person Declaration - New.docx

Recruitment Timetable

Closing date
9am Monday 14th December 2026

Preliminary Interviews (via Teams with GatenbySanderson)
w/c 4th January 2027

Final Selection Process (Exact dates TBC)
w/c 25th January 2027

How to Apply

• Please submit an up to date copy of your CV, along with a Supporting Statement that addresses the criteria set out in the person specification, using examples to demonstrate how you meet the essential requirements.
• A completed fit and proper person form - the template can be downloaded from the same place as the job description.
• Detail any employment or education gaps.
• You should provide the names, positions, organisations, and contact details for your referees, which must be your line managers and include your current and most recent employer. The referees should cover at least two roles as the minimum. Please note, should you be appointed, you will be required to provide references covering your last 6 years of employment as per the new NHS Fit and Proper Person regulations. Where there have been gaps in employment, this six year period will be extended accordingly. Referees will only be contacted for those proceeding to the final stage - we will always gain your permission before we contact referees.
• Let us know any difficulty you may have with the indicative timetable.
• Check that your contact details are correct before you submit.

Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an automated email to confirm that you have applied. If you do not receive this email, please make contact with GatenbySanderson.

Acceptable use of AI

Candidates may use AI tools to support proofreading, editing and presentation. However, all application materials should represent the candidate's own experience, perspectives and leadership thinking. We are seeking original and authentic responses, and applicants should ensure that any submission reflects their own analysis, judgement and vision for the role.