What benefits did attending this year’s conference have for you and your development?
Attending the HFMA Annual Conference was an amazing and inspiring experience that will have a lasting impact on my professional development. At a time when the NHS is navigating one of its most challenging periods—with significant funding constraints and rising demand for services—the opportunity to hear from leading thought leaders about the key challenges and opportunities, and how finance can drive transformation across the system, was invaluable. This exposure broadened my understanding of healthcare delivery at both strategic and policy levels. More importantly, the inspiration I drew from the conference has given me the motivation and momentum I needed to complete my remaining professional accountancy exams and to aspire to contribute meaningfully to the future of NHS finance
What were the three most valuable insights or lessons you took away from the event?
The conference was packed with back-to-back sessions featuring high-profile speakers and senior finance professionals, offering countless enriching lessons and insights that are going to help me become a competent professional who understand the key challenges NHS faces and be able to contribute effectively to addressing them. In broad terms the three most valuable insights I took away were:
- Delivering more with less requires bold thinking, innovation, and a willingness to embrace radical approaches
In light of NHS funding challenges, the emphasis was on radical approaches to healthcare delivery. As a Londoner who works on Acute Care Provider and well aware of the strain avoidable hospital admission have on our services, Hannah Witty’s presentation on London’s ambition to implement one of the core plan of the NHS 10-Year Health Plan—shifting care closer to home and strengthening community provision through the Neighbourhood Health Service Programme—was particularly impactful and demonstrated what is being piloted to address the issue. - Technology and data are transformative forces
The discussions on AI, digital transformation, and the importance of high-quality data highlighted how technology is reshaping healthcare delivery and was the running theme throughout the conference. For finance professionals, embracing these changes and developing new skill sets will be essential to remain effective and future ready and will influence how I will approach my studies.Strategic priorities for sustainable healthcare
Presentations by Sarah Woolnough on the 10-Year Health Plan, alongside Elizabeth O’Mahony’s presentation on NHS finance priorities, provided clarity on tackling deficits, managing inflation, and addressing workforce pressures. These insights offered a broader outline of the medium- and long-term challenges we will be working, and the role finance professional are expected to play.
How did the conference help you build or strengthen your professional network?
I was extremely fortunate in having Hannah Witty as my buddy who have been so generous with her time and attention during and after the event. Pre-conference one-to-one and then follow-up meetings with her during the event gave me confidence and helped me expand my network and get the most out of the event. I have already established follow-up communication with few Senior Finance Managers. Additionally, the Drinks Reception for Competition Winners provided another excellent opportunity to connect with peers, exchange contacts, and get to be introduced to other Senior Finance people including Caroline Clarke, Regional Director for the NHS in London, by Hannah which was a brilliant.
How likely are you to recommend this opportunity to colleagues, and why?
I will definitely encourage my colleagues to apply for this opportunity. Attending the conference not only provided valuable insights and inspiration, but also offered a chance to network and bring back knowledge that I will share through our team’s knowledge-sharing sessions. This will help inform our work and inspire others across the wider finance team. It is truly a great opportunity, and attending will have a massive benefit for any aspiring finance professional
Is there anything you felt would have enhanced your experience?
From start to finish the whole process went very smooth and the conference was well organised. Charlie did an excellent job in guiding us through with a regular update of the plans, creating a WhatsApp group and arranging preconference Teams meetings for winners which was very helpful and made navigating the conference easier.
Any other comments?
Overall, the HFMA Annual Conference was a truly transformative experience. It provided inspiration, practical insights, and valuable connections that will continue to shape my professional journey. I am grateful for the opportunity and look forward to applying what I have learned to support my team and contribute to the wider NHS finance community.
Considering the financial pressure we are under, funding the competition may not be easy. But the opportunity and the exposure it provides for the people who won’t get to the chance to attend this kind of gatherings is huge and I am hoping it will continue, and others will benefit as I have.