Very senior managers pay award eligibility confirmed
NHS England has published further information on the 2026/27 pay award for very senior managers (VSM), confirming the eligibility criteria that apply.
Key points for employers
The circular confirms that:
- provider trusts and integrated care boards (ICBs) can now implement the 2026/27 VSM pay award, in line with the eligibility criteria set out in the circular
- VSMs in some provider trusts will not be eligible for the award where the organisation meets the specified performance criteria, unless an exemption applies
- VSMs working in ICBs will not be subject to national organisational performance-based withholding for 2026/27. Local remuneration committees should determine eligibility in line with any locally agreed criteria
- there are specific exemptions to the withholding arrangements, including for some new appointments and organisational acquisitions
- the revised eligibility criteria will be incorporated into version 2 of the VSM pay framework, which will be published in due course. Organisations do not need to wait for the updated framework before implementing the award.
Employers should review the full circular before implementing the award in their organisation.
Read the full NHS England circular on the 2026/27 VSM pay award.
Further information
- The government announced a 3 per cent pay rise for very senior managers across the NHS in England for 2026/27 in May 2026. Read our previous very senior managers pay award update for further information.
NHS Employers does not have any information on very senior managers or non-executive directors (NEDs) and cannot support with any pay queries.
For queries relating to very senior managers, including the very senior managers pay framework and NEDs, please contact NHS England directly.
