Conference

Midlands and East SPF conference 2025

The 2025 Midlands and East SPF conference explored key themes and good practice in partnership working to support the NHS 10 Year Health Plan.

General information

Time
3 December 2025 GMT
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Audience
Open to all
Event location
Peterborough, PE2 6GB
A delegate laughing at a conference.

This annual, in-person event brings together trade union colleagues, HR professionals and SPF members from across the Midlands and East of England. The key theme this year focused on how best to support the regional workforce to deliver the NHS 10 Year Health Plan (10YHP).

Delegates explored the role of partnership working in this area, thinking about new approaches and showcasing good practice from inside and outside the region. A range of keynote speakers lead the conversation and breakout sessions showcased practical insights from colleagues.  

As ever, the conference offered valuable opportunities to connect, network and share learning with colleagues from across the region throughout the day. 
 

Conference chairs

  • Ali Koeltgen, Chief People Officer, Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
  • Caroline Hennessy, Regional Head of Health, UNISON
  • Liz Cooke, Director of HR and Organisational Development, Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust
  • Ollie Hopkins, Regional Organiser, UNISON
     

Agenda

Morning Sessions

  • Registration and networking over refreshments.

  • Hear what the day entails and connect with those on your table.  

    • Ali Koeltgen, Chief People Officer, Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
    • Caroline Hennessy, Regional Head of Health, UNISON

  • Paul Corrigan will share next steps and medium-term actions for implementing the 10YHP. Paul worked with the secretary of state to co-produce the 10YHP through multiple stakeholder and policy-maker engagement sessions, while providing independent views on its implementation.

    • Paul Corrigan, Non-Executive Director, NHS England

  • Time to take a break, grab some refreshments and network with colleagues.

  • Insights from the national SPF and NHS England regional directors of workforce, training and education on the delivery of the 10YHP, including challenges and opportunities. Time for table discussions and opportunity to pose questions to our panel.

    • Rebecca Smith, Director of System and Social Partnership, NHS Employers
    • Phil Carver, Regional Director of Workforce, Training and Education, NHS England East of England
    • John Drew, Regional Director of Workforce, Training and Education, NHS England Midlands
    • Claire Sullivan, Director of Employment Relations and Union Services, Chartered Society of Physiotherapy 

  • Connect with colleagues over lunch.

Afternoon sessions

  • The North West patch will share how they have collaborated across trusts in partnership with staff side to transform their approach to attendance and support the holistic wellbeing of our NHS people.

    • Sharon Lord, Health and Wellbeing Lead, Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust
    • Ruth Barker, Assistant Director of People, Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
    • James Bull, Regional Organiser, UNISON

  • Time to take a break, grab some refreshments and network with colleagues.

  • Hear how University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust and East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust are nurturing local talent within their communities to build a strong and diverse NHS workforce for the future.

    • Becky Dioh, Associate Director of Talent, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
    • Kate Read, Director of People and Organisational Development, East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
    • Peter Cook, Associate Director of Innovation and Education, East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust

  • Reflections on the day, summarising key learnings and considering next steps.

    • Liz Cooke, Director of HR and Organisational Development, Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust
    • Ollie Hopkins, Regional Organiser, UNISON

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