The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade is seeking strategic and influential leader to become the next Chair of the Insolvency Service Board .

The Insolvency Service is a vital part of the UK's economic infrastructure. With around 2,000 employees across Great Britain, it supports businesses and individuals experiencing financial distress, administers personal insolvency and redundancy payment schemes, investigates misconduct, and helps maintain confidence in the UK's world-leading insolvency framework.

Operating at the intersection of public service, regulation, policy and enforcement, the Agency plays a critical role in supporting economic growth, protecting creditors and consumers, and ensuring that people, assets and capital can be returned to productive use.

As Chair, you will provide strategic leadership to the Board, ensuring the highest standards of governance, accountability and performance. You will support and constructively challenge the Chief Executive and Executive Team, oversee organisational performance and transformation, and act as an ambassador for the organisation across government, regulators, the insolvency profession and the wider business community.

We are seeking candidates who can demonstrate:

• Significant senior leadership experience within a complex organisation, public body, regulator, major business or professional services environment.
• Strong strategic judgement and the ability to guide organisations through change and evolving external challenges.
• Experience operating at Board level, with the ability to provide constructive challenge and independent insight.
• Outstanding stakeholder engagement skills, including the credibility to work effectively with Ministers, senior government officials and external partners.
• Effective decision-making skills, with the ability to critically analyse complex information and provide clear, objective and evidence-based recommendations.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to listen, build consensus and provide constructive challenge with clarity and respect.
• A clear commitment to diversity, inclusion and the highest standards of public life.

Experience of chairing a board would be advantageous, as would expertise in insolvency, regulation, financial services, corporate governance, transformation, digital innovation or major public service delivery.

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to an organisation that has a direct impact on people's lives, business confidence and the functioning of the UK economy.

For a confidential discussion, please contact:

Hilda Gjika
Consultant
hilda.gjika@gatenbysanderson.com

Rosanne Sarratt
Principal Researcher
rosanne.sarratt@gatenbysanderson.com

Closing date: 5.00pm, Friday 9 October 2026.

The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade and the Insolvency Service are committed to attracting candidates from the widest possible range of backgrounds. Applications are encouraged from all suitably qualified individuals.

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Recruitment Timetable

Closing date
5.00pm Friday 9 October 2026

Short listing
19 October 2026

Final panel
3 November 2026 In person in London

How to Apply

To apply, please submit a CV (maximum two sides of A4) and a supporting statement (maximum two sides of A4) demonstrating how you meet the published criteria. As this is a ministerial public appointment, candidates are also required to complete the relevant declarations through the Public Appointments website. Please note that applications will only be considered where both stages of the process have been completed: (1) submission of application documents via GatenbySanderson and (2) completion of the required declarations through the Public Appointments website. Full details are contained within the candidate information pack which you can download by clicking continue.