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Non-executive director induction

18 - 19 September 2025

Online

  • Leadership

  • Governance

Overview

Step into your role with clarity, confidence, and impact

This two-day induction course is tailored for new and aspiring non- executive directors (NEDs) in NHS trusts and foundation trusts. Delivered in partnership with NHS England, it offers a comprehensive introduction to the role, responsibilities, and expectations of NEDs operating in today’s NHS.

Through expert insights and peer discussion, this course equips participants with the context, confidence and practical knowledge they need to contribute meaningfully from day one.

Key takeaways
  1. Gain a clear understanding of the NED role within NHS trust boards, including duties, behaviours and core responsibilities.
  2. Learn how NHS providers operate within the wider health and care system.
  3. Explore the challenges and opportunities facing boards in the current NHS landscape.
  4. Engage in peer learning and build connections with other NEDs from across the country.
  5. Understand how to contribute to board-level decision-making, holding executives to account while supporting effective governance.

Why this matters

NEDs play a vital role in shaping trust strategy, providing scrutiny, and ensuring accountability. As the NHS faces continued pressures and transformation, the demands on boards are growing. This induction ensures that new NEDs are well prepared to step into their roles with clarity and confidence, supporting strong governance and high-quality care.

I attended this programme myself as a new NED just over two years ago and cannot commend it highly enough. Has formed a key part for me in how I conduct the role and I urge any new NEDs to take part.

Non-executive directorNorthamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

What we'll cover

  • An up-to-date overview of the NHS policy landscape.
  • NHS governance and the responsibilities of NEDs.
  • The board's role in managing risk.
  • A policy overview of NHS finances and funding.
  • An introduction to oversight and support from NHS England. 
  • The role of Care Quality Commission in regulation. 
  • The board's role in race equality.
  • Developing your impact as a newly appointed non-executive director. 
  • The opportunity for you to meet and network with peers from other organisations.

This is a two-day event and delegates are expected to attend both days. Estimated timings are 9:15am to 4:30pm on day one and 9:30am to 4pm on day two (subject to change).

Trainers

Pamela Chesters

Pamela Chesters

Associate - Board Development Programme

NHS Providers

Pamela Chesters

Pamela Chesters

Associate - Board Development Programme

NHS Providers

Pamela Chesters spent nearly 20 years with BP, where she became chief executive of Duckhams Oils, before moving into the public sector. She has extensive chairing experience across health, housing, education, and children's and older people's services. In health, Pamela chaired the Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust for eight years before going on to serve as Mayoral Advisor to Boris Johnson for Health and Families in his first administration. She served as chair of Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust from June 2012 to 2016. In addition to leading training on governance for the past decade, Pamela recently served for six years as a non-executive director and chair of the audit and risk committee at the Ministerial Board for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

Sandy Cook

Sandy Cook

Policy Advisor - Finance

NHS Providers

John Coutts

John Coutts

Associate - Board Development Programme

NHS Providers

Chris Day

Chris Day

Director of Strategy

NHS England

Chris Day

Chris Day

Director of Strategy

NHS England

Chris Day has a background in both private and public sector business development, communications and leadership, operating at a senior level, with more than 25 years’ experience. As director of engagement for the Care Quality Commission, Chris drives changes in the way the regulator operates and how its voice acts as a catalyst for debate and improvement in the wider health and care system. Before his career in health and care, Chris worked in the transport sector, where he held several large operational roles before focusing on organisational change – the subject of the MBA thesis.

Chris Hopson

Chris Hopson

Director of Strategy

NHS England

Chris Hopson

Chris Hopson

Director of Strategy

NHS England

Chris Hopson is the chief strategy officer, responsible for NHS England’s strategy; policy; communications; stakeholder management including NHS England’s formal relationship with government; health inequalities and a greener NHS. Between 2012 and 2022 Chris was chief executive of NHS Providers, the membership organisation for the 220 NHS hospital, mental health, community and ambulance services trusts that collectively account for £105bn of annual spend and employ 1.2 million staff.

Professor Durka Dougall

Professor Durka Dougall

Chief Executive

Centre for Population Health

Professor Durka Dougall

Professor Durka Dougall

Chief Executive

Centre for Population Health

Professor Dr Durka Dougall is the founder and chief executive of the Centre for Population Health. Durka is also the acting deputy chair for an NHS acute and community trust, the chair of The Health Creation Alliance, a professor of population health and public health supporting University College London and University of East London. She is also a leadership development expert supporting clinical, board, and system development across the UK and internationally.

Jacqui Marshall

Jacqui Marshall

Associate - Board Development Programme

NHS Providers

Emily Newton

Emily Newton

Policy Advisor - Systems

NHS Providers

Pricing

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

Member: £490 (ex VAT) | £588 (incl. VAT)
Associate Member: £615 (ex VAT) | £738 (incl. VAT)
Non Member: £735 (ex VAT) | £882 (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.

Who should attend

  • New NEDs who are less than six-nine months in post.
  • Aspiring NEDs.

Learn more about our programmes