Royal College of Physicians
Independent Trustee - Digital Transformation
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Independent Trustee - Royal College of Physicians
Location: London, with online attendance possible if necessary
Term: Up to four years, with potential reappointment for an additional term
Time Commitment: Approximately 1.5 days per month
Remuneration: Voluntary position, with reasonable expenses reimbursed
Help shape the future of medicine via digital governance
Are you a senior digital, AI or cyber security leader who can bring independent judgement, constructive challenge and strategic assurance to one of the UK's most historic and influential medical membership bodies?
The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) is seeking to appoint an Independent Trustee with expertise in digital transformation, AI governance and/or cyber security. This is a distinctive opportunity to help ensure the RCP's governance maturity keeps pace with the changing digital environment, while supporting its charitable purpose and long-term resilience.
About the organisation:
Founded in 1518, the Royal College of Physicians is a professional membership body for physicians, with around 40,000 members and fellows globally working across hospitals, communities and 30 medical specialties. Everything the RCP does is aimed at improving patient care, reducing illness, setting high standards in medicine and shaping better health for all.
The RCP employs around 350 staff and has an operating budget of approximately £40 million per year. Its work spans education, clinical standards, policy, advocacy, leadership development and support for physicians across the UK and internationally.
In April 2026, the RCP launched its new strategy for 2026-2030, centred on four priorities: connection, standards, voice and renewal. The strategy focuses on supporting members and fellows, strengthening community, advocating for the future of medicine, and building organisational resilience and responsible growth.
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The Opportunity:
As an Independent Trustee, you will provide objective scrutiny, external perspective and strategic challenge as part of the Board of Trustees. You will act collectively with fellow trustees in the best interests of the RCP and its charitable purposes, helping to ensure the organisation is well run, financially sustainable, compliant and focused on delivering public benefit.
Your specialist contribution will be to bring senior-level expertise in digital, AI and/or cyber security governance to support Board deliberations, strengthen assurance and guide effective oversight of risks and opportunities. You will work alongside independent trustees, senior officer clinicians, the President, Chair, Chief Executive and executive team at a pivotal moment in the RCP's development.
This voluntary position offers the chance to:
- Bring expert oversight to digital transformation, AI governance, cyber security and organisational risk.
- Support the delivery of the RCP's 2026-2030 strategy and its commitment to modern, transparent governance.
- Provide constructive challenge and independent judgement on strategic, financial, operational and reputational matters.
About You:
We are seeking an experienced, collaborative and values-led leader who brings:
- Senior leadership experience in a complex organisation.
- High-level expertise in digital transformation, AI governance and/or cyber security governance.
- Experience of serving on, or working closely with, a board or equivalent governance body.
- An understanding of charity governance and the legal duties of trusteeship, or the willingness to develop this quickly.
- A commitment to the RCP's mission, values and strategic objectives.
Experience of working in or with a professional membership body, charity, regulator, public body or healthcare-related organisation would be highly desirable, although we welcome candidates whose broader experience and perspectives can strengthen the Board.
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Application Deadline:
5pm Monday 7th September 2026
How to Apply
Charity People Ltd is acting as a recruitment agency advisor to Royal College of Physicians on this appointment. Interested candidates are invited to submit a CV to seniorappointments@charitypeople.co.uk and request a candidate pack in the first instance.
For an informal conversation about the role or if you have further questions prior to applying, please contact Fabrice Yala on 07563 030 595 or Tiku van Houtem on 07926 129 788 or via email at seniorappointments@charitypeople.co.uk
Use of AI in applications:
We understand some candidates use AI tools when applying. Whilst we welcome the use of technology to support clear communication and structure, we want to learn more about you, so please ensure that your application reflects your own skills, knowledge and experiences.
We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability, and potential; please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustment so we can help make the application process work for you.
Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.
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