Member Networks

Designed for all chairs and chief executives of NHS trusts and foundation trusts. Interim, acting and assistant chairs and chief executives are also welcome to attend.

This network explores the key challenges facing NHS leaders and their boards, supporting you to navigate priorities, stay informed on policy developments and consider how best to support your trust.

Each session provides analysis of the current health landscape, opportunities to hear from and engage with stakeholders from NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care, and discover case studies showcasing innovative work from other trusts.

Meetings also offer space to learn with peers, share experiences and explore leadership development. 

Designed for anyone with strategic oversight for the communications agenda of their trust.

Our network is an opportunity for communications leaders from across the country to reflect on common challenges, share insight and learning and discuss how leaders can continue to show the importance of communications as a strategic leadership function.

Taking place across the year both online and in-person, these interactive meetings are your opportunity to hear the latest innovative work within the sector, with previous meetings exploring: 

• diversity in NHS communications,
• updates from senior leaders, including colleagues from NHS England,
• AI within communications,
• training and development within the profession, and more. 

Open to chairs, chief executives and directors of NHS trusts and foundation trusts providing community services, as well as Community Interest Companies that have joined the Community Network via the NHS Confederation.

Delivered as part of the Community Network programme with NHS Confederation, this network brings together community leaders to discuss how we can continue to champion community services, share learning on common challenges, and hear the latest policy developments.

With community services playing a pivotal role in delivering high quality, integrated care across the health and care system, the network provides policy updates and guidance to help leaders understand how national developments may affect their services and where opportunities are available.

Designed for company and trust secretaries of NHS trusts and foundation trusts, with interim, acting, deputy and assistant directors also welcome.

Chaired by NHS governance leads, this network is for those with executive responsibility for corporate governance. It offers regular updates, peer discussion and the chance to share approaches to evolving governance guidance and any new or revised requirements.

Meetings take place virtually and in person across the year. Previous agendas have explored topics such as the Insightful Provider Board, boardroom dynamics, governance of partnerships (including groups), and the fit and proper persons test, among others.

Each session includes a policy and political overview to help contextualise your local work, and features expert speakers and examples of effective practice to support you in your role.

Designed for all board-level digital leaders, including executive and non-executive directors with an interest in or responsibility for digital portfolios.

Focusing on board-level leadership of digital transformation, this network supports board members navigate emerging digital priorities and explore how they can lead meaningful change.

Chaired by digital leaders from across the NHS, meetings feature peer-led case studies and practical insights from across the health and care sector. Previous topics have included digital inclusion, AI assurance, EPR optimisation and developing the digital workforce.

The network also offers the opportunity to hear from speakers representing NHS trusts, NHS England, the Department of Health and Social Care, and other national bodies.

Designed for anyone with responsibility for corporate operations of their trust. 

In a constantly evolving NHS, this network offers Directors of Operations and Chief Operating Officers (DOOs and COOs) inspiration, practical guidance and peer support to help navigate shared challenges. It provides space to connect, exchange learning, and engage in informal mentoring, with a focus on key priorities such as productivity, efficiency, and staff and patient engagement.

The network also explores leadership development, including soft skills such as executive communication and team empowerment.

You’ll hear from NHS peers and external leadership speakers from high-pressure sectors, offering fresh perspectives and helping you reflect and reframe your thinking.

Designed for anyone with responsibility for managing the financial accounts or commercial portfolio of their trusts.

This network offers finance and commercial leaders the opportunity to stay up to date on key developments, share priorities and questions, and engage directly with senior leaders from NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care. 

It provides space to step back and reflect on the wider financial landscape, explore current challenges, and connect with peers. Previous agendas have covered topics such as capital funding, delivering value and estate management, alongside peer-led sessions focused on sharing best practice.

Designed for those with strategic oversight for the workforce agenda of their trust, including directors of human resources, operational development, workforce and engagement. 

This network explores key challenges and sector developments affecting HR leaders and trust's workforce. It offers space to connect with peers from across the country, reflect on staff wellbeing, navigate workforce pressures in a financially constrained environment, and share innovative approaches from across the sector.

You’ll also hear from national leaders, with previous meetings featuring speakers from the Department of Health and Social Care.

Designed for medical directors, nursing directors and any other clinical leaders of NHS trusts and foundation trusts.

This network brings together a diverse community of medical and nursing leaders to hear the latest sector updates, share learning, and connect with peers from across the country. Co-chaired by trust medical and nursing directors, it offers a unique opportunity to influence and shape national reviews and strategies in dedicated sessions with senior leaders from across the sector. 

Sessions also provide guidance on key priorities, including addressing health inequalities, managing improvement efforts, supporting workforces and more. 

Designed for chairs, chief executives and board members from trusts or foundation trusts providing mental health services. 

This network provides a dedicated space to explore the key issues facing the sector and mental health trusts, share good practice, and engage in peer discussion. Each meeting includes a policy update on the political landscape, followed by a discussion to help leaders make sense of current developments and consider its impact on services, teams, and strategy.

Previous discussions have covered topics such as children and young people’s mental health, the Mental Health Act, workforce recruitment and retention, productivity, and quality and safety in inpatient settings. The network regularly features speakers from NHS trusts, the Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England, the Care Quality Commission, and the wider sector to share case studies and explore current priorities.

Designed for all non-executive directors (NEDs) of NHS trusts and foundation trusts.

This network provides key information, tools to support you in your role, and space to connect and share practice with peers from across England. It focuses on the issues that matter most to NEDs, with recent discussions covering risk management in systems, inclusive employment practices, the journey from NHS NED to chair, patient safety and speaking up culture, and the board’s role in addressing health inequalities.

Each meeting includes a policy and political update to help you contextualise your work locally, along with expert speakers and examples of effective practice to support your development.

Designed for all strategy directors of NHS trusts and foundation trusts. 

As strategy directors often lead small teams within large and complex organisations, many attendees have found that this network has enabled them to feel more assured around the value and importance of the work they do.

By connecting peers from across the country, the network provides space to share learning, explore good practice and discuss shared challenges. It aims to empower and inspire you to shape strategic narratives that strengthen social value, community purpose and sustainability to positively impact outcomes for your communities.