News / Lift-off for HFMA non-exec faculty

The HFMA has received an enthusiastic response to its new faculty for NHS chairs and non-executive directors.

The faculty follows the successful model used for foundation trust and mental health finance and builds on the HFMA’s history of providing training and development for NHS non-executive directors.

Membership is open to individual NHS organisations and benefits include free HFMA membership for all their non-executive directors; three free delegate places a year at faculty forums; a free place at an annual chairs’ conference; and the option of an induction programme for new appointees.

Scheduled events include a faculty forum in November and a chairs’ conference in January 2013. Both events will be held in London, although subsequent events will be held in other parts of the country.

HFMA chief executive Mark Knight said that with the abolition of the Appointments Commission in October there would no longer be a nationally co-ordinated induction and development programme for non-executives and chairs. The faculty would meet this need, allowing chairs and non-executives to network and learn about NHS finance and governance issues from experts and peers.

‘Non-executive directors and chairs have a really important role to play in governance within their organisations, particularly as we enter a new era for the health service,’ he said.

‘The faculty will provide them with opportunities to stay up to date, hear from key stakeholders and network with colleagues in other organisations.’

The HFMA is offering a £100 discount on the subscription fee for organisations that join the new faculty before 30 September 2012.