FT FINANCE - HFMA’s Foundation Trust Faculty
A Faculty is a network of trusts that have common interest, that share experience and expertise, and want to use their combined numbers to try and influence thought and policy in their sector. A Faculty provides a combination of learning, technical development and networking opportunities.
FT FINANCE aims to support and represent the interests of finance professionals in Foundation Trusts (FTs) and applicant or aspirant FTs and provide an opportunity to share and work on solutions for common issues.
Currently the group has over 150 member trusts. These include authorised, applicant and aspirant trusts and as such the group
contains an immeasurable amount of experience and knowledge. If you would like to see a list of the members please contact (kamal.babra@hfma.org.uk) or click on Contacts above.
If your organisation is a member of the Faculty you should be able to view everything in this area of the website including the forum and documents. If your trust is not a member and you would like information on joining please contact Kamal Babra at kamal.babra@hfma.org.uk or on 0117 938 8991. Membership form available for download here.
The programme is developed under the guidance of a steering group and its activities are devised directly from input from the
membership. The group undertakes a work programme and holds a number of meetings and event throughout the year including:
FT FINANCE Technical Issues Group (TIG)
This strand focuses on the many technical issues facing FTs. Its primary purpose is to liaise with and develop responses to the Department of Health and Monitor; produce technical bulletins, technical working papers and guidance and to develop policy. The TIGI is key to the policy development and influencing role of FT FINANCE, and enables hfma to ensure that the group as a whole remains relevant and proactive.
There are a small number of members asked to sit on the Group permanently who commit to both attending regularly and undertaking the work program. Others are co-opted or invited to participate as work streams develop. All member trusts have a right to access the Technical Issues Group (TIG).
In practical terms, we would like you to nominate yourself, your deputy or a senior member of your finance team to be a nominated Technical Contact. This person will receive minutes from the TIG meetings and other important emails which often need to be disseminated throughout your organisation as appropriate.
If your trust is a member and you are not sure who your designated Technical Contact is please contact Sarah Crick at sarah.crick@hfma.org.uk or on 01353 741 500.
FT FINANCE Directors’ Forum
The Directors’ Forum is designed to be a high level briefing for Directors on topics of particular significance to the FT community, but it also offers you an important opportunity for networking. This gathering of individuals meets three times a year, operates under the Chatham House Rule and the numbers of attendees are restricted in order to maintain the intimate nature of the gathering. The likes of Bill Moyes, David Mobbs, David Flory, Richard Douglas and David Nicholson address this informal and interactive get-together.
In general, these events tend to be in Central London and start late afternoon (3.30 for 4pm start) and finish with a networking buffet at 6pm. Membership of the group entitles you to send a Director to each of these events for free.
Technical Forum
The Technical Forum was developed as a direct output of the TIG above, and is designed to be an informal and interactive environment for Finance Directors and senior finance staff to cover topics of particular significance to the FT community. The group runs these twice a year and the aim is to offer you an opportunity in which to discuss and debate relevant issues.
The TIG decides on the subjects to be covered at the Technical Forums, and these subjects tend to be issues that feature heavily in their meetings and which they feel merit a particular focus and possibly some external guidance and assistance. Past Forums have covered insurance, treasury management and lean management.
In general these are half day events, often starting with lunch to enable networking. Membership of the group entitles you to send a delegate to each of these events for free.
Membership Benefits include:
- Your trust joins as an organization. All members of staff are then able to receive benefits
- Opportunity to book a free place on the FT FINANCE Directors’ Forum (run 3 times a year), previous speakers include Bill Moyes and Richard Douglas, David Flory & David Nicholson
- Opportunity to book a free place on the FT FINANCE Technical Forum (run 2 times a year), subjects include, Lean Management, Insurance/Indemnity/Valuation, Treasury Management
- Access to FT FINANCE area of www.hfma.org.uk and access to the Faculty's LinkedIn discussion group
- Significant discount of up to £300 on our Annual Conference in July
For more information on joining FT FINANCE or to apply for membership of the group, please e-mail or call Kamal Babra (kamal.babra@hfma.org.uk / 0117 938 8991).