HFMA Awards 2019: deputy finance director

Although difficult for all involved, she was fair, compassionate but determined to shape the department into the right structure for the future – giving the finance team confidence in her and her leadership.

At the same time, as part of a ‘right size’ project, she undertook a comprehensive review of demand, capacity and workforce to underpin the 2019/20 budget-setting process. Although operational support was limited, Ms Horgan (pictured) took ownership of the project from the outset, engaging with clinicians and key leaders to build a bottom-up picture of the landscape going forward. This led to the establishment of a credible position that divisions could fully support while remaining within the trust’s financial control total.

To add to the challenges during the year, the financial ledgers were migrated before Ms Horgan’s first year-end. However, this was managed carefully, ensuring minimum disruption to the integrity of data – the trust’s audit committee noted that outputs were robust, year-end deadlines met and the audit outcome positive.

Ms Horgan also worked on the service transfer of the genetics laboratories to a neighbouring trust. It was a complicated transfer requiring support from a number of disciplines, but was achieved successfully at the most appropriate time and was fully ready.

She also provided key support in the development of the trust’s neonatal partnership with Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, working across organisational boundaries to help bring the business case to a reality within limited funding.

Making the nomination for the award, trust finance director Jenny Hannon said Ms Horgan’s credibility and influence extended across the wider senior management team and with clinicians.

She said Ms Horgan was ‘not afraid to offer opinion or simply take the lead when other areas of my portfolio are demanding’, adding: ‘I know that Eva will secure the best possible solutions. She is talented and determined, but will always seek advice when required.’

Ms Horgan said the team restructure was difficult. ‘But it got us to the right place in terms of being able to support the clinical teams,’ she said. Clinical engagement was vital, she added. ‘I am always very conscious of their time and the fact that I am potentially taking them away from their clinical duties. But if we don’t do it, we won’t move forward. We have to work collaboratively and I always aim to ensure I’m prepared and bring something to the table.’

The judges applauded Ms Horgan’s calm approach. ‘This, along with her commitment and energy in always trying to improve performance, has meant she has achieved a huge amount of positive change in the finance team and the trust,’ they said.

‘We were particularly impressed with the long list of improvements she has made in such a short period of time and the respect she has, not only in the finance team but in the wider trust and particularly with clinicians.’

Download our HFMA Awards 2019 supplement here