Martin Dillon

I am a Chair of the HFMA NI branch and Director of Finance and Procurement for the Southern Health and Social Care Trust, one of the six provider Trusts in Northern Ireland. The Southern Trust, measured by turnover circa £500m, is amongst the biggest in the UK.  I am is currently on a one year secondment with the Northern Health and Social Care Trust covering for a vacancy at Director of Finance level.  The Northern Trust is facing a huge financial challenge and I am leading on the development of a £50m recovery plan aimed at restoring recurrent financial balance by the 1st April 2012.

I have 25 years of experience in the NHS.  I was appointed as Director of Finance and Corporate Planning for the Newry and Mourne HSS Trust (one of the four legacy Trusts that merged to form the new SHSCT on the 1/4/07) in 1994.  In that role, I led on both the Strategic Finance and Corporate Planning agenda in what was at that time a unique portfolio amongst the finance community.  I am determined that the finance staff become indispensable business partners to Directorates/Divisions throughout the  organisation providing the basis for informed decision making by getting behind the numbers as opposed to merely reporting them.

I hold an honours degree in Economics from Queens University, Belfast and underwent his accountancy training in Dublin and Jersey.  I am currently a member of ACCA, ICAEW and CIPFA as well as a trustee of HFMA.

Why I wanted to be an HFMA Trustee?

I have been Vice Chair of the NI Branch for the past two years and assumed the Chair in December 2009.  The profile of HFMA grows amongst the HSC finance community each year and the thriving NI branch is amongst the strongest in the UK.  The membership is committed and the committee very hard working and enthusiastic on their behalf.  As we face into an austere period for NHS finances, I have no doubt that HFMA will play an invaluable role in speaking up for and maintaining the morale of the finance community and through the provision of networking and fellowship opportunities will offer staff the opportunities to share common problems and to develop common solutions.

To serve as a trustee of a growing organisation with the profile and reputation of HFMA is a great privilege and I am looking forward to serving to the best of my ability.