HR Directors Network
3 July 2025
12:00 - 14:30
Virtual event via MS Teams
Leadership
Workforce
Delivery and performance
Overview
Explore the latest challenges facing HR leaders.
Please note that this event will now take place virtually on Thursday 3 July between 12 noon – 2:30pm instead of in-person in London as previously advertised.
Join the latest HR Directors network to reflect with other leaders on your priorities, sharing insights and learning.
Why this matters
As the NHS evolves, ensuring strategic oversight of your trust's workforce agenda remains a top priority. The HR Directors network provides an open and safe space to step back from the day-to-day to reflect on the opportunities and challenges facing leaders in this space, their teams and organisations.
Operating under Chatham House Rule, this member-only network will provide you an opportunity to:
- Share ideas and exchange learning.
- hear presentations from communications leaders experts on the latest innovative work in the sector.
- Engage in interactive sessions to ask questions and share your thoughts.
- Have open and honest discussions with peers in breakout sessions.
Lots of helpful information in the strategic policy and workforce update, as a first-time attendee, there was a lot to take from this.
Agenda
Thursday 3 July
12:00Welcome
Chair's introduction
Bridget O'Kelly
Amanda Rawlings
12:05Session 1
Insights on the ethnicity pay gap
This session will focus on the actions providers are taking to address the ethnicity pay gap, including a presentation from Delvir Mehet on his trust's work. The session will be followed by an opportunity to ask questions as well as share learning and challenges.
Delvir Mehet
12:40Session 3
Strategic policy update
Hear a presentation from NHS Providers on key strategic policy issues and developments, sharing analysis on what these may mean for the provider sector.
This session will also include a Q&A.
Ferelith Gaze
13:10Comfort break
13:15Session 4
Update on the 10-year health plan
Colleagues from the Department of Health and Social Care will join us to provide an update on the 10-year health plan. This session will be an opportunity to discuss developments with peers and ask speakers questions.
Emma O'Kerry
Esme Mulholland
13:55Session 5
Update from NHS England
14:30Close
Chairs' comments
Bridget O'Kelly
Please note, our agenda is still in development for this event so session timings may be subject to change. We will share more details over the coming weeks of further sessions and speakers.
Network chairs and speakers
Bridget O'Kelly
Chief People Officer
Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust
Amanda Rawlings
Executive Chief People Officer
University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
Delvir Mehet
Interim Chief People Officer
Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Emma O'Kerry
Head of Workforce Planning
Department of Health and Social Care
Esme Mulholland
Department of Health and Social Care
Ferelith Gaze
Head of Policy and Public Affairs
NHS Providers
How to book
Attendance is free, however you will need to book in advance to receive event details ahead of the network.
If you have any questions, or would like to be added to the mailing list to hear about future events and NHS Providers resources, please contact the Networks team.
Who should attend
This network is designed for anyone with strategic oversight for the workforce agenda of their trust. This includes:
- Directors of human resources, operational development, workforce engagement, wellbeing or personnel
- Senior HR managers or business partners
- Interim, acting, assistant and deputy directors are also welcome to attend.