NHS finance for senior leaders

Helping you develop your financial expertise

This one-day course is designed for senior NHS leaders, including board members and those preparing for board-level roles, who want to strengthen their understanding of NHS finance. It provides a clear and practical introduction to the essentials of NHS funding, financial management, governance, and accountability.

Led by experienced NHS experts, the course explains the financial processes that underpin decision-making, service delivery, and strategic planning across NHS trusts and systems.

Key takeaways

1. Understand the principles of NHS funding, finance structures, and system-wide financial management.
2. Strengthen your ability to interpret financial information and reports confidently.
3. Learn the key questions leaders should ask to ensure financial accountability and stewardship.
4. Gain practical insights into board-level financial governance and system working.

Senior leaders play a critical role in shaping services, managing resources, and maintaining financial sustainability. In a complex and increasingly integrated NHS environment, strong financial understanding is essential for effective decision-making, good governance, and delivering high-quality, sustainable care. This course helps senior leaders engage meaningfully with finance, strengthening their leadership and their contribution at board and system level.

• How NHS trusts are funded and how finances flow through systems.
• Core elements of financial management and planning in the NHS.
• Understanding financial governance, assurance, and accountability at board level.
• Key financial challenges facing the NHS today.
• How to interpret financial information and the questions senior leaders should ask.
• Practical exercises and discussions to apply learning to real-world NHS contexts.

The course runs from 9:30am to 4pm (subject to change). 

Open to NHS Providers members, associate members and non-members.

Member: £310 (ex VAT) | £372 (incl. VAT)
Associate Member: £390 (ex VAT) |  £468 (incl. VAT)
Non Member: £465 (ex VAT) | £558 (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.

• Non-financially qualified board members (both executive and non-executive).
• Senior executives and managers.