Comment / Awards round

I’m delighted we are launching the HFMA Awards 2015 with this edition. The awards are a popular part of our annual conference as
they recognise the contribution of finance staff in many different areas. As usual we expect a strong crop of entries from all over the UK. The North West are traditionally well represented and I hope other regions will follow suit.

There are a few changes to the awards this year. One notable one is that the Deputy Finance Director of the Year award has been widened. It seems the traditional ‘deputy’ – one person who reports to the director – is less common now. So the award will cover any member of the finance team that reports directly to the finance director – an assistant finance director perhaps.

Another change is that the Efficiency Award has been renamed the Innovation Award. We are recognising that not all bright ideas that lead to value generation are purely efficiency focused. Innovation offers the possibility of showcasing particular initiatives within our sector. This might involve innovative use of IT, new models of care or other approaches to generate value.

I am particularly pleased we are accepting nominations for some of the key personal awards from teams as well as senior figures. If you feel your finance director or chief finance officer deserves recognition, why not nominate them?

Removing the reliance on a chief executive nomination will ensure we consider the widest possible field when looking to identify our inspirational leaders. As usual, my colleague Ben Renshaw ( [email protected] ) is on hand to answer queries. And make sure you do yourself justice! With many entries, I know a lot more about the individual than is stated on the form. The judges can only base their decision on what is in front of them, so please make sure you don’t sell yourself or your work short.

As usual the association is a hive of activity as we deliver programmes and support members. In June we have our next chief executive officer forum and our annual commissioning conference in Stratford-upon-Avon. And on
11 July we have our ever popular FT conference at the Hilton Metropole, Birmingham NEC. We are conscious that in these straitened times it is tough to get away. But spending time with your finance community, swapping ideas and experiences will be key to meeting the current challenges and we appreciate your support.

My colleague, policy director Paul Briddock, has been doing sterling work, behind the scenes and in the media – we now regularly contribute to Health Service Journal et al. Our president Sue Lorimer’s theme, ‘Stronger together’, couldn’t be more apt for the NHS we live in today. We need each other’s help more than ever!

To make a nomination, please click here.