Welcome to the web page for the London Branch of the HFMA
London has at long last a co-ordinated voice to represent all of us throughout the capital with the formation of the London SHA.
This means that this is the ideal time to reinvigorate the London Branch of the HFMA, so that we can support everyone with their professional development. The Branch Executive is keen to restart a series of training events and social functions for finance staff at all levels. Uniquely amongst the professional associations the HFMA is committed to both CPD and having some fun. We want the finance community to be just that – a community where we can learn together and from each other, but also where we can catch up with old friends and meet and make new ones.
The NHS is changing rapidly – Foundation Trusts and an increased commercial sense means that we are attracting people from other sectors. The HFMA is keen to help current members get to grips with the challenges we face and at the same time help to make newcomers feel wanted and welcome.
What we’ve done so far
Our ‘re-launch’ event on Thursday 29th November 2007 had Paul Corrigan from the SHA and John Appleby from the King’s Fund speaking on the Darzi report, with a panel discussion afterwards. We were delighted to have such high profile speakers and an informative and entertaining evening was had by all. We targeted Directors and Deputies for this particular event, as we want the finance leaders to know what we are aiming to do and be keen to support us by encouraging their teams to take up membership and participate.
In late January this year we ran our annual conference (Commissioning Matters) and achieved a good turnout of over 90 people, with very few no-shows. We’d like to thank Paul Baumann for agreeing to sponsor this event, especially as we organised it at such short notice, and I think all those who attended would agree that we had some thought-provoking speakers, from Sir Muir Gray, Director of the National Knowledge Service, to Bob Alexander, Director of Finance at the Department of Health. Those who stayed for dinner were entertained with magic and a mini-quiz and it was good to see everyone mixing and enjoying themselves.
You can view feedback on the both events on this site.
In conjunction with the Finance Staff Development Committee we ran an exam techniques training day in early December and the quiz night was held at the end of February.
Our Plans for the Year
We’re already planning the next annual conference and have already identified dates (6/7 November 2008) with topics still under discussion. Please let me know if you have anything you would like us to consider (after all, this is your conference!). You can email me directly at caroline.clarke@kpmg.co.uk
We will also be organising a series of late afternoon events, which we hope to hold in various venues around central London, rather than all in one place, so that everyone gets the chance of an easier journey. These are likely to be held in April, June, Sept and Jan/Feb and will become a regular feature. Your feedback tells us that you prefer sessions such as these to be held late afternoon rather than in the middle of the day.
The ever-popular 5–a-side football tournament will be held at the end of March 2008, and if you still wish to submit a team you need to let us know asap.
Once we have definitive dates and topics we’ll advertise these on this site. I look forward to seeing you at one or more of the events.
Best wishes
Caroline Clarke, Chair