Governor Focus 2024
9 July 2024
A conference dedicated to NHS governors
Our national Governor focus conference is the leading free event for NHS governors. This year's event took place virtually on Zoom on Tuesday 9 July 2024.
Our programme is tailored to equip governors with skills to better support trusts in delivering high quality healthcare. Delegates had the opportunity to:
- Share, learn, and develop their knowledge to better prepare for the future.
- Hear from expert speakers who are committed to maximising the governor role.
- Learn from their colleagues through the governor showcase.
Showcase
We are pleased to share the work of our two showcase finalists who joined us at our conference on Tuesday 9 July.
Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and East London NHS Foundation Trust.
Available session slides
Setting the scene – A national policy update
View Sir Julian's slides.
Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust - Showcase session
View Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust's slides.
Plenary panel - Governor support in a difficult climate
View slides from session speakers Selina, Joe and Katrina.
East London NHS Foundation Trust - Showcase session
View East London NHS Foundation Trust's slides.
Keynote plenary - Effective participation and engagement with our members
Programme
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Reset09.55
Registration
10.00
Welcome and introduction
Welcome and introduction
Sir Ron Kerr will welcome delegates to our Governor Focus conference.
Chair
Ron Kerr
10.15
Setting the scene – a national policy update
Setting the scene – A national policy update
Sir Julian Hartley will provide an overview of the key issues facing the provider sector, with a particular emphasis on those areas of greatest concern to councils of governors.
Download the session slides.
Chair
Ron Kerr
Speaker
Julian Hartley
11.00
Showcase session one
Showcase session one
Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
'A Pledge to Commitment – Embodying the essence of the statutory duties of the council of governors'
Governors in this trust have made individual pledges based on their statutory duties which have enabled them to really take ownership of the role. The initiative is innovative, effective and has created a positive dynamic within the council of governors.
Watch the animation here.
Download the session slides.
Chair
Ron Kerr
11.30
Comfort break (morning)
11.40
Plenary panel
Plenary panel - Governor support in a difficult climate
How can we strike the right balance between effectively holding to account our Non Executive Directors for the performance of the board and providing support to the trust at a really challenging time for the NHS?
We will be joined by various speakers from foundation trusts who will share their perspective on how governors can add value to the organisation.
Chair
Ron Kerr
12.25
Lunch
13.25
Showcase session two
Showcase session two
East London NHS Foundation Trust
'Making Membership Matter'
Governors in this trust have stood back, really considered the purpose of membership and developed a new membership engagement plan. This has been co-produced with key stakeholders, links to the trust's wider priorities and has delivered many tangible activities in its first year.
Watch the animation here.
Download the session slides.
Chair
Ron Kerr
13.55
Breakout session
Breakout session
Governors will be invited to discuss topical issues.
14.35
Comfort break (afternoon)
14.45
Keynote plenary
Keynote plenary - Effective participation and engagement with our members
Our panel will discuss how can we improve both members' participation and our general engagement with members, which has proven to be a struggle for most trusts.
Our speakers will provide both an NHS and external perspective.
Chair
Ron Kerr
15.30
Closing remarks
Closing remarks
Sir Ron Kerr delivers closing remarks for Governor Focus conference.
15.40
Conference close
Speakers
Elliot Roberts
Director of Voter Interaction
Civica Election Services
The mechanics and techniques offered and utilized by organizations to facilitate participation, and the understanding of the rationale behind voter media choices, have grown with rapid sophistication in recent years. Our in-house knowledge and exposure allows us to understand and map out voter behaviour and use data and control group analytics to maximize the number of participants in election processes.
Jamu Patel
Deputy Lead Governor
East London NHS Foundation Trust
Professor Joe Rafferty CBE
Chief Executive Officer
Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust
Julian Hartley
Chief Executive
Julian’s career in the NHS began as a general management trainee and he worked in a number of posts before progressing to a board director appointment at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust.
In 2019 Julian was asked to be the executive lead for the interim NHS People Plan, having previously worked as managing director of NHS Improving Quality, and in 2022 he was awarded Knight Bachelor for services to healthcare in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.
Katrina Smith
Company Secretary
Black County Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Richard Amponsah
Interim Assistant Director of Patient Safety/Staff Governor and Interim Lead Governor
Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Ron Kerr
Chair
NHS Providers
He is currently a board member of the GEL/NHSE Partnership Board and is also a trustee of Guy’s and St Thomas' Foundation and King’s College London. He was knighted for services to the NHS in 2011.
Russell Gill
Head of Community Delivery
Co-op Group
Selina Ullah
Trust Chair
Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Tina Bixby
Community Engagement Manager
East London NHS Foundation Trust
Tracey Davies
Lead for Members and Governors
Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
What previous delegates said
“I thought it was an excellent experience to be able to listen and gain insight from other people in similar positions to me.”
“Thank you for great event excellent networking opportunity.”
“Rich and stimulating interactive sessions really highly engaging and a lesson in themselves.”
“All credit to the organisation of the three days, very well attended, excellent information sharing.”
contact us
For more information please contact the Governor focus events team.