Network

NHS Chief Operating Officers Forum

20 October 2026

10:00 - 16:00

In-person

London

Delivery and performance
Leadership

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Overview

Connect with operational leaders at our forum meeting

Bringing together chief operating officers and directors of operations from NHS trusts, this forum is your opportunity to explore national developments and their impact on your organisation, share learning and network with peers.

Why this matters

Building on NHS Providers' Director of Operations and Chief Operating Officers Network, this forum will provide an important safe space to hear the latest policy developments, explore shared challenges and learning with peers.

Operating under Chatham House Rule, this member-only forum will provide you an opportunity to:

Share ideas and exchange learning.
Hear presentations from operations experts on the latest work in the sector.
Engage in interactive sessions to ask questions and share your thoughts.
Have open and honest discussions with peers in breakout sessions.

A really assuring and transparent space to learn and share different viewpoints on collective challenges and planning.

Previous attendee

Agenda

Tuesday 20 Oct

10:00Registration, refreshments and networking
- Registration
  The registration desk will be available from 10am.
10:30Welcome
- Chair's welcome
  - Forum Chair
    Lucy Davies
10:55Session 1
- Strategic policy update
  A presentation on strategic policy issues and developments, sharing analysis on what these may mean for the provider sector, with opportunity for Q&A and discussion throughout.
11:45Comfort break
12:10Session 2
- Structured breakout session
  More details will be shared soon.
13:00Lunch
13:55Session 3
- Health equity in practice: what operational leaders can do differently
  Explore how health equity can be meaningfully embedded into day-to-day operational decision-making.
  
  This session will provide practical insights to help operational leaders to turn equity ambitions into tangible actions. Explore what leaders can do to reduce inequalities and improve outcomes at scale, while reflecting on the significant operational pressures they face.
14:40Session 4
- Co-production in action: working together for better mental health
  Much NHS care is delivered by those outside of the NHS, with non-statutory organisations often holding invaluable insights into local community need.
  
  In this session, hear from Mark Yates to understand how they embed principles of co-production in their work to ensure services respond to the needs of the communities they serve. Drawing on the tension between demand and productivity with positive outcomes, we'll explore how meaningful co-production can help create sustainable solutions for service users and ensure effective care is informed by the needs of local populations.
  - Director of Operations, Rethink Mental Illness
    Mark Yates
15:15Session 5
- Leadership across health and care: What good can look like
  NHS staff say social care is vital - so what does effective joint leadership really look like?
  
  This thought provoking session will draw on real experience of navigating system-level complexity and partnership working, focusing on what effective leadership across health and social care looks like in practice. Expect clear insights on what enables genuine collaboration across organisations with seemingly different priorities.
16:00Closing comments and reflections
16:10Post-event
- Further networking opportunities
  The main room will remain open until 4:15pm for colleagues to stay back and engage in further networking opportunities. Please do take advantage of this extended time to connect with peers, share insights and build valuable connections. Refreshments will be available.

Please note, as the agenda is still in development for this event, session timings may be subject to change. We will share more details over the coming weeks of further sessions and speakers.