Chief Executive Officer

Job Description

Location: National (regular presence across key HMCTS and MoJ sites)

Closing date: 23:55hrs on Tuesday 30th June 2026

HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) sits at the heart of the justice system, supporting the administration of justice for millions of people every year. This is a pivotal moment to join the organisation, building on a period of significant transformation and delivery, while shaping the next phase of improvement to ensure services are modern, efficient and accessible for all users.

Over the past year, HMCTS has delivered clear and measurable progress. Digital services now support the majority of benefits appeals, over one million civil claims have been processed online, and key services such as civil money claims and probate have seen substantial improvements in timeliness and efficiency. End-to-end digital journeys are now established across major jurisdictions, supported by stronger data, modern systems and improved insight into user experience. This progress reflects a sustained focus on delivery while also highlighting the opportunity to go further, improving performance, reducing delays and continuing to modernise a complex national service.

As Chief Executive, you will lead an organisation of around 16,000 people operating across more than 350 locations, working at the centre of one of the country's most important public services. You will partner closely with senior leaders across the Ministry of Justice, the judiciary and the wider justice system to deliver outcomes that matter to citizens, communities and the rule of law.

This role calls for a leader who can combine operational grip with strategic ambition; someone capable of maintaining focus on today's performance while driving long-term transformation. You will bring a strong track record of leading large, complex service organisations and delivering at scale in demanding environments. You will demonstrate the ability to drive performance and reform in parallel, using data, technology and insight to improve outcomes. You will have the judgement, credibility and emotional intelligence to operate effectively across organisational boundaries, alongside a visible, values-led leadership style that engages and inspires a large and diverse workforce.

This is a rare opportunity to lead at the intersection of public service, operational delivery and system reform, building on strong foundations to deliver further impact. If you are motivated by the scale of the challenge, the importance of the mission and the opportunity to shape justice nationally, we would welcome your application.

For a confidential discussion about this opportunity, please contact:

Russell Brandon, Research Consultant, GatenbySanderson - russell.brandon@gatenbysanderson.com