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Non-executive director induction, July 2026
Training

Non-executive director induction

9 - 10 July 2026

London

Event days

9 July 2026•9:30 - 16:00•Broadway House, Tothill Street, London, SW1H 9NQ
10 July 2026•9:30 - 16:30•Broadway House, Tothill Street, London, SW1H 9NQ

  • Leadership

  • Governance

Book now

Overview

Step into your role with clarity, confidence, and impact

This two-day induction course is tailored for new and aspiring non- executive directors (NEDs) in the NHS. Delivered in partnership with NHS England, it offers a comprehensive introduction to the role, responsibilities, and expectations of NEDs operating in today’s NHS.

Through expert insights and peer discussion, this course equips participants with the context, confidence and practical knowledge they need to contribute meaningfully from the outset.

Key takeaways
  1. Gain a clear understanding of the NED role on an NHS unitary board, including duties, behaviours and core responsibilities.
  2. Understand how NHS providers operate within the wider health and care system.
  3. Explore the challenges and opportunities facing boards in the current NHS landscape.
  4. Engage in peer learning and build connections with other NEDs from across the sector.
  5. Understand how to contribute to board-level decision-making, holding executives to account while supporting effective governance.

Why this matters

NEDs play a vital role in shaping organisational strategy and culture, providing scrutiny and support, and ensuring accountability. As the NHS faces continued pressures and transformation, the demands on boards are growing. This essential induction ensures that new NEDs are well prepared to step into their roles with clarity and confidence, supporting strong governance and high-quality care.

Such a great 2 days training - everything I needed to know - I started feeling a little overwhelmed by what I'm getting into but left with a very valuable toolkit, better understanding of how I can be impactful and a network of like-minded colleagues

Non-Executive DirectorMidlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

What we'll cover

  • Up-to-date insights into the NHS policy landscape.
  • NHS governance and the responsibilities of NEDs.
  • The board's role in managing risk.
  • An overview of NHS finances and funding.
  • An introduction to oversight and support from NHS England. 
  • The role of Care Quality Commission in regulation. 
  • The board's role in race equality and digital transformation.
  • Developing your impact as a newly appointed non-executive director. 
  • The opportunity for you to meet and network with peers from other organisations.

This is a two-day event and delegates are expected to attend both days. Estimated timings are 9:30am to 4:00pm on day one and 9:30am to 4:30pm on day two (subject to change).

Chair

Paul Devlin

Paul Devlin

Associate - Board Development Programme

NHS Providers

Paul Devlin is a skilled leader, facilitator, consultant and coach, who draws on a wide range of experience in the third and public sectors. His career has spanned organisations including Age Concern, Action for Children, Derby and Derbyshire Primary Care Trust, Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, and Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. He also provides consultancy to a range of national, regional and local organisations, alongside one-to-one coaching for senior leaders. Paul's work focuses on governance, leadership, involvement, strategy and planning, with a strong emphasis on equality, diversity and service user experience.

Speakers

Peter Howie

Peter Howie

Associate - Board Development Programme

NHS Providers

Peter Howie

Peter Howie

Associate - Board Development Programme

NHS Providers

Peter Howie has 42 years of NHS experience, including 15 years as trust secretary. He is a former chair of NHS Providers' Company Secretaries Network and has provided governance support through secondments to other NHS trusts. A registered nurse with a master's degree in health policy and organisation, Peter now works as an associate with NHS Providers and as a governance consultant for NHS trusts. Peter has delivered training across the public and charitable sectors, in a wide range of leadership, clinical and governance subjects over the past 40 years, and contributes to local charitable work as a Rotarian.

Carl Smith

Carl Smith

Associate - Board Development Programme

NHS Providers

David Williams

David Williams

Deputy Director of Policy

The NHS Alliance

David Williams

David Williams

Deputy Director of Policy

The NHS Alliance

David is our head of policy and strategy. He has shared leadership of NHS Providers’ policy team, and oversees our policy work on finances, system working, integration and governance. He joined NHS Providers in 2018, initially as our policy advisor for finances. Prior to that he worked as a journalist, specialising in health policy.

Emily Newton

Emily Newton

Policy Advisor - Systems

NHS Providers

Brian Stables

Brian Stables

Associate - Board Development Programme and GovernWell Programme

NHS Providers

Brian Stables

Brian Stables

Associate - Board Development Programme and GovernWell Programme

NHS Providers

Brian Stables is an independent consultant with a background in the global automotive sector. In the NHS, he has been a non-executive director (NED) since 2002, including nine years as chair of Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust. He is currently NED and chair of audit at Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust and a specialist advisor for the Care Quality Commission. His industrial background includes managing businesses in the UK, Czech Republic, Portugal, and developing international strategic alliances in Brazil, Mexico, Israel, Romania and Turkey.

Mehvish Shaffi-Ajibola

Mehvish Shaffi-Ajibola

Chief Executive and Strategic HR and OD Leader

Socially Inspired

Chris Day

Chris Day

Director of Strategy

NHS England

Chris Day

Chris Day

Director of Strategy

NHS England

Chris Day has a background in both private and public sector business development, communications and leadership, operating at a senior level, with more than 25 years’ experience. As director of engagement for the Care Quality Commission, Chris drives changes in the way the regulator operates and how its voice acts as a catalyst for debate and improvement in the wider health and care system. Before his career in health and care, Chris worked in the transport sector, where he held several large operational roles before focusing on organisational change – the subject of the MBA thesis.

Pricing

This training is open to Members and Non-Members of The NHS Alliance.

NHS Alliance Member: £687 (ex VAT) | £824.40 (incl. VAT)
Non-Member: £1,031 (ex VAT) | £1,237.20 (incl. VAT)

You will need to provide a purchase order number at booking to confirm your place on this course. Card payments are also accepted.

Follow the 'Book now' link at the top of this page to book your place. You will need to create an account if you have not already done so.

Materials and speakers were excellent - as was the structure of the programme.

Andy HobartNon-Executive Director, University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust

Who should attend

  • New NEDs who are less than six-nine months in post.
  • Associate NEDs.
  • Aspiring NEDs.

Learn more about our programmes