Position Description

Ministers are looking to appoint one Professional and one Lay Member to the board of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA).

Members are required to build and retain public and professional confidence in the regulation of fertility treatment and embryo research and to play a key part in the effective and successful governance of the HFEA.

Specifically, to:

• support the Chair and the Executive in setting the strategic direction of the HFEA, and review this on a regular basis in light of developments in the external and internal environments
• support the Chair and the Executive in developing the HFEA in-line with the organisation’s strategic aims while maintaining a positive, constructive and appropriate relationship with its stakeholders in both the public and private sector
• provide an independent view, a substantive contribution, and constructive challenge at Authority meetings and sub committees
• monitor the performance of the HFEA’s Executive, holding it to account for the delivery of the HFEA’s business plan, HM Treasury and Department of Health and Social Care requirements.

Selection Criteria

The Department of Health and Social Care values and promotes diversity. We encourage applications from talented individuals from all backgrounds and across the whole of the United Kingdom. Boards of public bodies are most effective when they reflect the diversity of views of the society they serve.

We are recruiting 2 new HFEA Members: a Professional Member and a Lay Member.
To be classified as a Professional Member you must fulfil one of the following categories:

• be a registered medical practitioner;
• be concerned with the keeping or using of sperm, eggs, or embryos outside the body; or
• be directly concerned with commissioning or funding research involving the keeping or use of sperm, eggs, or embryos or to have actively participated in any decision to do so

A person who would be recognised as a Professional cannot apply for a Lay post.
We are also seeking one of the new appointees (either the Lay or Professional Member) to also chair a sub-committee of the HFEA board: the Audit and Governance Committee (AGC).

To be considered, you must be able to demonstrate that you have the qualities, skills, and experience to meet all the essential criteria for appointment.

For both the Lay and Professional roles:

• a strong career track record of significant delivery at a senior level within the private, public or voluntary sectors
• ability to operate effectively as part of a team on the board of a national public body, where you provide support, challenge and assurance
• sound judgement, with an ability to critically analyse a wide range of information and make evidence-based, strategic decisions
• excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to gain the confidence of colleagues within your organisation and of its stakeholders

In addition, for the Professional member role, you need to be:

• a clinician with senior level experience in fertility medicine and research

In addition, if you wish to be considered for the role of Chair of HFEA’s AGC, you must have:

• senior corporate or finance experience (in the public, private or third sectors), with experience of governance, risk management, assurance, and the work of audit and risk committees

How to Apply

Thank you for your interest in the appointment of a Member to the HFEA.

The Department of Health and Social Care’s Public Appointments Team is managing this recruitment campaign.

To apply please visit: https://apply-for-public-appointment.service.gov.uk/roles/8957

Advert closing date is midday Monday 25 May 2026