NHS Leaders Forum
Overview
Connect with leaders from across the sector
Bringing together chairs, chief executives and equivalent leaders from across different parts of the sector in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, this forum is your opportunity to explore national developments and their impact on your organisation, share learning and network with peers.
Why this matters
This forum is provides a valuable safe space to explore shared challenges and gain the latest insights on national developments.
Operating under Chatham House Rule, this member-only forum will provide you an opportunity to:
- Hear from government and national body leaders on key issues affecting your role and its requirements.
- Participate in professional development sessions with experts, with the opportunity to influence future national policy.
- Share ideas, exchange learning and hear case studies of innovative work being done across the sector.
- Engage in interactive sessions to ask questions and share your thoughts.
- Have open and honest discussions with peers in breakout sessions.
Always a helpful event. I leave with knowing I'm not alone in the issues I'm struggling with, helpful ideas for things to try and a renewed sense of optimism.
Agenda
Agenda
Wednesday 30 Sep
10:00Registration
Registration, refreshments and networking
Registration desk will be available from 10am.
10:30Welcome
Chair introductions
10:40Session 1
Strategic policy update
Hear an overview of the current political landscape including Andy Burnham's devolution agenda, it's implications and potential cabinet changes.
This session will also reflect on the latest health policy developments, with analysis on what these may mean for different parts of the sector and key considerations for leaders. There will also be opportunity for Q&A and discussion throughout.
Chief Executive, The NHS Alliance
Sir Ciarán Devane
11:20Session 2
Breakout sessions
More details to be available soon.
12:00Comfort break
12:20Session 3
Leading under pressure: Resetting the relationship between the centre, systems and local leaders
This panel session will explore what effective, sustainable NHS leadership looks like amid ongoing pressure and evolving relationships between the Centre, ICBs and provider leaders. Sharing personal reflections and facilitated discussion, panellists will examine how structural, relational and cultural conditions can enable (or inhibit) effective leadership.
Chief Executive, Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust
Ellen Rule
Chief Executive, Airedale NHS Foundation Trust
'Foluke Ajayi
Chair of Tames Healthcare / Local Medical Committee and Co-Chair of the Herefordshire and Worcestershire General Practice Provider Board
Dr Nigel Fraser
Director, Welsh Confederation
Darren Hughes
13:10Lunch and networking
14:15Session 5
Neighbourhood health: what it takes to shift to a preventative model of care
This session will explore what it takes to move from an acute and reactive‑focused system towards neighbourhood‑based, preventative care that improves outcomes while alleviating long‑term operational pressure. Bringing together system, commissioning, provider, and primary care perspectives to reflect on what's working, what remains difficult, and where leadership efforts need to be focused next.
Senior Advisor, GP partner and Health Inequalities and Population Health Managment Lead
Dr Priya Kumar BEM
Director of Strategy, Planning and Transformation, North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
Kerry McQuade
15:05Session 4
Not just ambition: Taking action on EDI
This session will explore the role of NHS leaders in addressing inequality and embedding anti-racist leadership across organisations and systems. The discussion will reflect on challenges, opportunities and practical actions needed to create more inclusive cultures and drive meaningful change across health and care.
Director, Implementation, NHS Race and Health Observatory
Dr Nandi Simpson
Chief People Officer, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust
Terry Roberts
15:50Main agenda close
Chair's comments
Our forum chair will share final reflections as the main agenda draws to a close at 4pm. Following this, an optional networking reception will be begin, ending at 5:30pm.
16:00Networking reception
Refreshments and informal networking
Join for an informal space to engage in further networking and relationship building.
Sponsored by Newton, drinks and nibbles will be available.
17:30Event close
Speakers
Sir Ciarán Devane
Chief Executive
The NHS Alliance
Darren Hughes
Director
Welsh NHS Confederation
Ellen Rule
Chief Executive
Hertfordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust
'Foluke Ajayi
Chief Executive
Airedale NHS Foundation Trust
Kerry McQuade
Director of Strategy, Planning and Transformation
North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
Dr Nandi Simpson
Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Director of Implementation
NHS Race and Health Observatory
Dr Nigel Fraser
Chair, and Local Medical Committee and Co-Chair
Tames Healthcare, and Herefordshire and Worcestershire General Practice Provider Board
Dr Priya Kumar BEM
Senior Advisor, and GP Partner and Health Inequalities and Population Health Management Lead,
PPL and the Kumar Medical Centre
Terry Roberts
Chief People Officer
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust
How to book
Attendance for this event is free. Please follow the below instructions to register your place:
- If you're from an NHS trust, foundation trust or integrated care board (ICB):
Please use the booking button at the top of the page to register via our booking portal. - If you're from an NHS Wales Organisation, Health and Social Care Northern Ireland organisation, Company Interest Board (CIC) or Primary Care Collaborative:
Please complete this short form to register your place.
If you have any questions, please contact the Forums team.
Who should attend
This network is designed for leaders from across NHS trusts, ICBs, community CICs and primary care collaboratives across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
This includes:
- Chairs, chief executives and other equivalent leaders.