CSP seeks a new chief executive as the current one calls it 'probably the best job in the world!'

High-fliers are being invited to apply to become the next chief executive of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP), whose incumbent – Karen Middleton – is scheduled to leave the post she took up in 2014 at the end of the year.

The deadline for those wishing to apply for the position – which Karen described as ‘probably the best job in the world’ in a tweet when the recruitment process began last week – is midday on 10 July.

The new chief executive will take over the reins from Karen with the membership of the professional, educational and trade union body standing at 64,000 – making it a relatively large and influential organisation among the allied health professions.

The advertisement – which can be seen on the website of London-based agency Saxon Bamfylde – describes the CSP as a ‘progressive, dynamic and member-centred organisation’.

Probably the best job in the world out to advert today! [tweet from @KMiddletonCSP on 16 June]

'Empowering members'

The CSP’s ‘purpose’ is to ‘transform the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities by empowering our members and exerting our influence’, the advertisement notes.

‘With workforce at the centre of a health and social care sector going through enormous change, this is an exciting time to join the CSP, to help to build a confident and influential physiotherapy community, which can deliver benefits to patients and wider society.’

The new chief executive will be expected to deliver the CSP’s strategy, which is set by council members, while increasing the organisation’s influence externally while generally promoting the profession and its members. ‘They will role-model our values, build an inclusive culture across the organisation, and provide outstanding leadership to the directors and the organisation as a whole,’ according to the advertisement.

History maker

Karen was the first physiotherapist to be appointed to the CSP’s top post, moving from the then Department of Health, where she was chief health professions officer at NHS England for almost seven years. Her successor will not necessarily share her professional background, however, according to the job specification.

‘The successful candidate will bring executive-level experience in a membership, non-profit, or similar organisation, with experience of leading through transformational change.

‘With a track record of working with senior stakeholders, they will have the ability to influence at the highest levels, with excellent communication skills to engage a variety of audiences through different means. They will bring an understanding of equity and diversity principles, and the ability to think strategically about future opportunities for the CSP.'

Diversity drive

During Karen’s tenure, the CSP has striven to reach out to members who might not previously have been well-represented in influential roles and has adopted a more diverse outlook. In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, the CSP moved its headquarters to a smaller building and put its former prestigious base in central London up for sale.

The CSP’s strategy calls for ‘a leadership that reflects the diversity of society and actively engages with and is accountable for equity, diversity and belonging across the organisation’.

‘With this aim in mind, we actively encourage applications from a diverse range of backgrounds, and from people passionate about continuing our work to build an inclusive organisation and profession,’ the advertisement adds.

Saxon Bamfylde describes itself as a ‘values-led executive search and leadership advisory’.