Senior HR professionals in the private sector could soon be headhunted by
the NHS.
The Department of Health (DoH) announced last week it is offering executive search
firms the chance to help NHS trusts poach some of the private sectors’ most
talented senior managers.
Alastair Henderson, HR policy manager with the NHS Confederation, said the
health service is in particular need of finding really talented and committed
individuals for director-level appointments.
He said the NHS would be looking for management expertise from various
business functions and highlighted HR and IT as areas where there was a high
demand for expertise.
"The senior HR roles in the NHS are extremely complex, challenging and
rewarding jobs, and there are a lot of opportunities there," he said.
Henderson said that by using a number of approved executive search teams,
the NHS would benefit by avoiding duplication and building expertise.
The NHS Confederation and the DoH are inviting executive recruitment firms
to tender for recruitment, executive search and assessment services, with a
view to agreeing a shortlist in May and a final list in September.
"Placing top talent in the NHS is not about crossing our fingers and
hoping the talent will come to us," he said. "The list of preferred
suppliers will help NHS trusts ensure they recruit the right people in the
right jobs – whether they are from within the NHS or from outside."
By Ben Willmott
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