Cathy Kennedy

I joined the NHS after University as a Regional Finance Trainee (a pre-cursor to NFMTS), training at Bradford Health Authority.  I spent the three years after qualifying with CiPFA in posts within Acute and Teaching Hospitals.  I was appointed at the age of 27 as Director of Finance at Weston Park Hospital in Sheffield, which was becoming a “second wave” NHS Trust.  There, in addition to finance, I led the development of Strategic and Business Planning, IM&T, and Contracting. 

In 1997, I moved to Scunthorpe & Goole General Hospitals NHS Trust as Director of Finance, leading the development and implementation of a Financial Recovery Plan for that organisation, and was a key player in the radical plans that delivered achievement of financial balance for the health community in South Humber. 

In August 2000, I  moved to the newly established “first wave” PCT in North East Lincolnshire as Director of Finance and Commissioning, with responsibility for corporate performance management and Information. 

In September 2007 the PCT responsibilities were joined with adult social care responsibilities delegated by the local authority, to become an NHS ‘Commissioning Care Trust’. I hold the position of Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Finance within that new organisation.

I am an active supporter of the Healthcare Finance Managers Association (HFMA), and have been branch chairman for Trent and (more recently) Yorkshire. I am currently a national HFMA Trustee and board member.

In her spare time, I am  Mum to two children and my husband and I are gradually renovating our 250 year old home near Gainsborough.

Why I wanted to be an HFMA trustee

I have been involved in HFMA since joining the NHS as a trainee after University, initially in the Yorkshire branch. Over the years I have been a branch chairman twice, on national committees and national boards, organized several regional and spring conferences, and always made the most of the networking opportunities! I believe that the association is offers a unique range of services and opportunities to the finance community, and influences the national agenda (particularly in England) in a quiet but effective way. I became a Trustee because I wanted to do what I could to help the association continue to be a real benefit to its members, and I have personally gained a lot in terms of my understanding of the issues that affect the different healthcare sectors and the 4 nations that the association supports.