Who we are

John O`Brien

Director of Commercial and Development

The NHS Alliance

John leads the teams that deliver all The NHS Alliance’s events, commercial engagement, board development and improvement programmes and finally, our venue in Leeds, Horizon.

Sir Terence Stephenson

Vice-Chair

The NHS Alliance

Professor Sir Terence Stephenson is Nuffield Professor of Child Health at UCL’s Great Ormond Street Institute. He chaired the UK GMC (2015 to 2018), the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (2012 to 2014), and was president of the Royal College of Paediatrics (2009 to 2012), and chair of the Health Research Authority until January 2025 and became chair of NHS Providers in February 2025. He was knighted in 2018 and has been a senior NIHR investigator since 2022. He has authored over 330 publications and seven textbooks, with £15m in research funding. He’s held academic and leadership roles in Nottingham and London, and has been an elected honorary fellow of 11 international colleges or academies.

Professor Andy Hardy

Chief Executive

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust

Andy Hardy has been chief executive of University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust since 2010, following six years as chief finance officer. He holds roles on several boards, including NHS Impact (deputy chair), University Hospitals Association (chair), and Coventry University's health advisory board (professor). He was named professor of industry at the University of Warwick and awarded an honorary doctorate by Coventry University. Andy is also a former Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy and Healthcare Financial Management Association president. He also supports various charities and healthcare improvement initiatives.

Dr Buki Adeyemo

Chief Executive

North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust

Dr Buki Adeyemo was appointed North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust's chief executive in December 2023, having served as interim chief executive from December 2021, and medical director from 2012. Dr Adeyemo graduated from the University of Lagos and started work in the NHS in 1997, working in North Staffordshire. She is a dual qualified old age and adults' psychiatrist and became a consultant old age psychiatrist in 2007. During her career, Dr Adeyemo has specialised in medical education and psychological therapies. She is chair of the Mental Health Network Board at the NHS Confederation.

Karen Taylor

Chief Executive

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Mental Health Leaders co-chair.

Richard Mitchell

Chief Executive

Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Richard was appointed chief executive of Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in June 2017. He is also executive lead for the Mid Notts ICP and chair of the East Midlands Cancer Alliance.