The Adolescent Health Study (AHS) is focused on understanding how young people develop during adolescence and how this critical period affects their future health and wellbeing. The study will establish a comprehensive data platform to support interdisciplinary research into the biological, psychological, behavioural, and social factors that shape outcomes during adolescence and early adulthood.
The study aims to recruit at least 100,000 volunteers within the age range 8-18 years from across the UK and follow their health and wellbeing for at least 10 years. AHS plans to collect data through questionnaires and measurements, analysis of biological samples, and additional information from health, education and other records. The study has been awarded over £60 million of funding from UK Research and Innovation, the Government’s national funding agency for science and research.
The study is in a pivotal phase in its organisational development, having transitioned from a programme coordinated by the Medical Research Council (MRC) to an independent, not-for-profit, private limited company with charitable status. This shift will enable more agile decision-making, diversification of income and increased autonomy, and requires an appropriately diverse and independent Board of Trustees.
The Adolescent Health Study now seeks to appoint a new Trustee to Chair the Audit and Risk Committee and to bring financial, audit and risk expertise to the Board. The role is critical to ensuring that the Board can provide effective oversight, support the organisation’s long-term sustainability, and uphold the highest standards of governance and accountability.
The appointee will support the Board in overseeing the Adolescent Health Study's financial reporting, audit processes, risk management and internal controls, ensuring proportionate governance in support of the organisation’s mission. They will have demonstrable experience serving on, or chairing finance/audit committees; sufficient financial acumen to provide constructive challenge where appropriate; experience in audit, risk management, compliance, or internal control frameworks; and the ability to chair meetings effectively, draw out contributions from committee members, build consensus, and maintain focus on key audit and risk priorities.
In keeping with the AHS charitable mission, Trustee positions are not remunerated.
Enquiries can be made, in confidence, to Jamie Cumming-Wesley or Natalie Derry at WittKieffer. Completed applications should be submitted electronically to [email protected]
Applications should consist of a CV accompanied by a covering letter addressing the criteria in the person specification and motivation for applying.
The deadline for receipt of applications is noon on Friday 31st July 2026.