This initiative aims to enhance skills and foster networking within the finance community. It also gives individuals the opportunity to better understand different roles in a finance department outside of their own experience, and how different types of NHS organisations work.

Participants will gain exposure to different practices, expand their professional networks, and bring back valuable insights to their own organisations.

Programme overview

The exchange will take place over four weeks – Monday 4th January – Friday 29th January 2027.

Matched participants will spend four days over the four weeks shadowing each other, and the final day will bring all participants across the region together for an event in Birmingham to share their learnings and feedback.

• Day 1 – participant A shadows participant B at their place of work – Date of your choosing
• Day 2 – participant A shadows participant B at their place of work – Date of your choosing
• Day 3 – participant B shadows participant A at their place of work – Date of your choosing
• Day 4 – participant B shadows participant A at their place of work – Date of your choosing
• Day 5 – all participants attend a wrap-up event in Birmingham – Friday 29th January 2027

Participants are expected to work from each others organisation’s location during the exchange for at least one day per organisation, and collaborate on creating a work activity plan. It is considerably more beneficial when done in person.

The work activity plan will be created by the participants in the lead up to the exchange, mapping out what tasks and meetings will take place over the first four days. The Midlands Finance Academy will supply an example template work activity plan.

The minimum number of participants for the exchange is 30 (15 pairs) and the maximum number of participants is 50 (25 pairs).

Who can apply?

The exchange is open to career-motivated NHS finance staff at all bands working in all organisations in the Midlands.

How are pairs matched?

The options for matching are:

• Shadow a counterpart in a similar role but a different organisation type e.g. a Finance Business Partner in a provider trust shadowing a Finance Business Partner in an ICB.
• Shadow someone who works in an organisation of a similar type e.g. two provider trusts, but who works in a different role in the finance department e.g. a Finance Business Partner shadowing a Costing Accountant.
• Shadow someone who works both in a different type of organisation and a different role.
• It’s good to keep an open mind about who you could be matched with, as there are many other benefits to taking part, such as getting to know a different type of organisation, and meeting people you wouldn’t normally meet in your own role.

In all cases, the aim will be to match people of a similar banding on the Agenda for Change scale. Although we will try our best to match you with someone who fits your preferences, there is much to be gained from being matched with someone who may not be at your preferred band level, job role or organisation type, so we do encourage you to be flexible and open minded.

Participants can be matched across any geographical locations in the Midlands, but they may prefer to shadow in the same Integrated Care System to make travel easier.

Please note that we cannot guarantee you a place on the exchange.  

Timings

Applications are open from Friday 31st July – Friday 30th October 2026. You can apply by filling out this application form.

In November there will be a matching process, and if you have been successfully matched you will be notified by Friday 27th November 2026.

There will be three weeks for matched applicants to hold introductory calls, set work plans, and complete work activity templates.

The exchange will take place over four weeks, from Monday 4th January – Friday 29th January 2027, with an in person facilitated wrap-up event on the final day.

Exchange wrap-up event

The Friday of the exchange will bring all participants to Birmingham for a wrap-up event.

The programme will consist of pre-booked speakers and time for exchange participants to have workshop discussions, presenting to the room on their learnings and experiences from the week.

Participants will also be encouraged to utilise opportunities such as sponsorship, coaching, mentoring and interview practice following the exchange. This is all available for free through the Midlands Finance Academy and One NHS Finance.

Travel expenses

All participants will be expected to organise and fund their own travel and accommodation for the exchange week.

Please discuss this with your line manager as your organisation may be able to cover these costs as part of its finance staff training and development policy.

If any applicants are having difficulty securing cover for travel costs, they can contact the Midlands Finance Academy for further advice – becky.jenvey@hfma.org.uk