Conference

Strategic Workforce Forum

Book now for our annual flagship event for senior workforce leaders to discuss the future of workforce planning.
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General information

Time
13 October 2026 10:00 - 14 October 2026 15:30 GMT
Audience
Open to all

Speakers

  • Round headshot of Ben Morrin in a blue suit jacket and white shirt on a plain grey background.
    Ben Morrin External link icon
    Chief Executive NHS Employers
  • Headshot of Danny Mortimer
    Danny Mortimer External link icon
    Director General for People DHSC
  • Lord Victor Adebowale CBE
    Lord Victor Adebowale External link icon
    Chair The NHS Alliance
  • Headshot of Ciarán Devane
    Sir Ciarán Devane External link icon
    Chief executive The NHS Alliance
  • Headshot of Steve McManus
    Steve McManus External link icon
    Interim Chief Executive NHS College of Leadership and Management
  • Headshot of Salma Yasmeen
    Salma Yasmeen External link icon
    Chief Executive Sheffield Health Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
  • Thomas Simons headshot
    Thomas Simons External link icon
    Chief HR and OD officer NHS England
  • Headshot of Claire Gore
    Claire Core External link icon
    Director of the Transforming People Services Programme NHS England
  • Woman in a blue shirt, sitting, smiling
    Martine Wright MBE External link icon
    Paralympian and inspirational speaker
  • Headshot of a man, smiling, wearing a brightly coloured shirt
    Neil Mullarkey External link icon
    Communication expert and improv performer

A dedicated forum for NHS workforce leaders

The Strategic Workforce Forum is a secure and confidential space designed for NHS workforce leaders to engage in meaningful dialogue around future strategic workforce planning and the advancement of the people profession.

The forum isn’t a conference; it’s a place for discussion and exchange of ideas. It’s where senior workforce leaders come together to lead the conversation and influence at a national level.

Participants to the event will benefit from hearing directly from our guests who will offer valuable insights to enhance leadership adaptability, address present-day challenges, and equip leaders with practical tools to support and strengthen their teams.

"This is my favourite conference of the year — it’s particularly good for connecting with others." (Chief people officer)

Who can attend

This event is strictly for strategic people leaders within the NHS, this will include:

  • human resources directors (HRDs)
  • chief people officers (CPOs)
  • directors of workforce.

View the agenda

    • 10:00 –11:00am - Registration and exhibition
    • 11:00 -11:30am - Leading with you - my first thoughts as NHS Employers' new CEO
      Ben Morrin, chief executive, NHS Employers
    • 11:30am –12:15pm - Leadership challenges and opportunities for the future of the NHS 
      Lord Victor Adebowale, chair, the NHS Alliance
    • 12:15 – 12:45pm - NHS College of Leadership and Management
      Steve McManus, interim chief executive, NHS College of Leadership and Management
    • 12:45 - 1:45pm - Lunch and exhibition
    • 1:45 – 2:30pm - The future of NHS leadership: best practise sharing and preparation for panel discussion
      Caroline Waterfield, director of workforce supply and employment practice, NHS Employers
    • 2:30 – 3:15pm - Panel discussion: The future of NHS leadership
      Ben Morrin, Salma Yasmeen, Lord Victor Adebowale and Steve McManus    
    • 3:15- 3:45pm - Break and exhibition
    • 3:45 – 4:30pm - Breakout sessions with event partners
    • 4:30 - 5:30pm - Courage and creativity: using improv to empower leadership in complex times 
      Neil Mullarkey, communication expert and improv performer
    • 5:30 – 5:45pm - Summary, reflections and close
      Ben Morrin, chief executive, NHS Employers
    • 7:30-8.00pm - Drinks reception 
    • 8:00pm - Dinner 
    • 8:30 – 9:15am - Exhibition and networking.
    • 9:15 - 9:30am    Welcome and opening session
      Ben Morrin, chief executive, NHS Employers
    • 9:30 – 10:30am - The power of 7: A story of transformation  
      Martine Wright MBE, paralympian and inspirational speaker
    • 10:30 – 11:00am - Break and exhibition
    • 11:00 – 12:45    Court room drama: The transformation of NHS People Services 
      Tom Simons, chief HR and OD officer and Claire Gore, director of the transforming people services programme, NHS England
    • 12:45 – 1:30pm - Lunch and exhibition
    • 1:30 – 2:00pm    NHS reform agenda: where next?
      Sir Ciarán Devane, chief executive, the NHS Alliance
    • 2:00 –3:15pm - Make it happen, make it better, make it count
      Daniel Mortimer, director general for people, Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC)
    • 3:15 - 3:30pm - Summary, reflections and close
      Ben Morrin, chief executive, NHS Employers
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Book your place

If you would like to attend the conference please fill out the booking form.
Please note: availability is very limited, so we advise booking as soon as possible.

 

Cost

The cost of the forum is £420 per person. This covers full access to the two-day event and includes your accommodation and meals. 

Registered delegates will receive confirmation of their place upon completing the booking form.  

Attending the event

Timings

The event begins on Tuesday 13 October with registration at 10am and the first session starts at 11am. All delegates will come together for dinner on Tuesday evening.

The conference closes at 3:30pm on Wednesday 14 October.

Location

East Midlands Conference Centre, Beeston Lane, Nottingham, NG7 2RJ

By car

The East Midlands Conference Centre is 10 minutes from J25 of the M1 and the centre of Nottingham.

By rail

The East Midlands Conference Centre is approximately four miles away from Nottingham train station and two miles from Beeston train station.

Accommodation

Bookings include one night's accommodation at the Orchard Hotel and Restaurant which is located next door to the conference venue. 

Partnerships, sponsorship and exhibition opportunities

This event offers unique access to board level NHS workforce leaders. We have a range of sponsorship and exhibition opportunities - see the partnership brochure for further information, or get in touch with Henry Crawford to discuss further.

Download our partnership brochure.