HPN MENTAL HEALTH 2025 AGENDA

HPN is a unique, two-day learning and networking event which brings together the most inspirational leaders and transformational suppliers in the healthcare sector to share cutting-edge insight, knowledge and experience. Our agenda is carefully curated to address the most relevant and emerging challenges in the sector.

26 - 27 June 2025, East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham

Day 1
Day 2

26 June 2025

8:00 am - 8:45 am

Mezzanine room

Registration
8:45 am - 9:00 am

Mezzanine room

Chair's opening remarks
9:00 am - 9:40 am

Mezzanine room

Opening keynote panel – Leading change in mental health care: executive insights

Mark Powell

Chief Executive
Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Chris joined the Trust in July 2020 as Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Chief Executive before becoming Interim Chief Executive in October 2022 and Chief Executive in April 2023. He was previously Chief Operating Officer at Mid Cheshire Hospitals, a post he held for three years before joining LSCft.
Chris has sustained a track record of driving performance and delivering results with a focus on improving quality outcomes and staff empowerment.
He has had a varied and immensely satisfying career which has enabled him to successfully lead healthcare colleagues in a variety of challenging environments. Chris’ experience covers finance, operational and leadership roles.
In early 2024, Chris was appointed as one of the Mental Health Trust Chief Executives on the Board of Trustees for NHS Providers, a post he holds with pride to represent this important sector of healthcare making improvements for both patients and colleagues.

Chris Oliver

Deputy CEO
Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust

In the opening keynote address, chief executives from mental health trusts across the UK will share their insights on the evolving landscape of mental health care. Speakers will discuss strategic initiatives aimed at improving patient ou...

In the opening keynote address, chief executives from mental health trusts across the UK will share their insights on the evolving landscape of mental health care. Speakers will discuss strategic initiatives aimed at improving patient outcomes, and the challenges and opportunities faced by their organisations, including funding, staffing, and integration of services.
9:40 am - 10:00 am

Mezzanine room

Keynote address on UK’s mental healthcare system

Moving into a panel format, this session will focus on the escalating pressures on A&E and psychiatric crisis services. Experts will explore how digital tools – such as real-time bed management, tele-psychiatry, and mobile cri...

Moving into a panel format, this session will focus on the escalating pressures on A&E and psychiatric crisis services. Experts will explore how digital tools – such as real-time bed management, tele-psychiatry, and mobile crisis interventions – can transform urgent care pathways, reducing delays and improving outcomes for patients in acute mental health crises.
10:00 am - 10:20 am

Mezzanine room

Headline sponsor presentation

Interested in sponsoring?
10:20 am - 10:40 am

Mezzanine room

Dragons’ Den – speed presentations

Our signature ‘Dragons’ Den’ session provides each solution provider with an opportunity to deliver a short 60 second pitch, explaining why they are here and how their services can help tackle some of the sector’s ongoing challen...

Our signature ‘Dragons’ Den’ session provides each solution provider with an opportunity to deliver a short 60 second pitch, explaining why they are here and how their services can help tackle some of the sector’s ongoing challenges.
10:45 am - 12:00 pm

Mezzanine room

Networking and business meetings

15 minute meetings with suppliers who are offering solutions most relevant to your challenges. Please check the schedule on the back of your delegate pass for your meeting timings.
12:05 pm - 12:35 pm

Mezzanine room

Strengthening the mental health workforce: resilience, culture, and innovation

Dr Farnaaz Sharief MBE
MULTI-AWARD-WINNING WELL-BEING AND RESILIENCE TRAINER – CONSULTANT – EXECUTIVE COACH – GP
SENIOR FELLOW FACULTY OF MEDICAL LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT

Farnaaz is an NLP Practitioner, Executive and DISC certified coach with extensive experience in working across organisational boundaries to empower individuals. She is a Senior Fellow with the Faculty of Medical Leadership and Management, understands system’s challenges, is passionate about building relationships, transforming teams, and keeping people focused, motivated and moving.

A GP by background and former Medical Director, Farnaaz has over 15 years of experience working with multidisciplinary teams across primary and secondary care. Throughout her extensive career she has developed an in depth understanding of the challenges faced by clinical leaders and developed a multi-award-winning resilience programme that has seen people improve their psychological well-being, build confidence and enhance fulfilment in their job roles. This saw her feature on the Queen’s birthday honours list in 2018 and receive a British Citizens Award for healthcare at the House of Lords the year before.

She creates safe reflective spaces, using robust coaching methodologies, such as the GROW model to inform her approach. Farnaaz encourages people to think differently, recognise their strengths and bring about meaningful change to their personal and professional lives.

Her facilitated sessions are a balance of gentle humour, constructive challenge, grounding mindfulness and interactive discussion that enhance individual strengths and enable purposeful engagement. By using DISC assessments, she helps individuals improve their
understanding of themselves by giving them more insight into how they make tough decisions, deal with negative feedback, improve relationships and gain more influence.
Her clinical acumen, leadership style and solution focused approach has strengthened clinical teams across health and care partnerships and established placed based clinical collaboratives built on mutual trust and respect.

As a senior clinical leader, she has led numerous high performing teams, encouraging them to think creatively and deliver new models of care that improve patients’ experience and health outcomes.

Farnaaz Sharief

Clinical Lead for Mental Health
NHS Medway Clinical

This session will explore workforce solutions aimed at enhancing wellbeing within the NHS. The speaker will discuss strategies for supporting staff, fostering a resilient workplace culture, and implementing effective interventions that e...

This session will explore workforce solutions aimed at enhancing wellbeing within the NHS. The speaker will discuss strategies for supporting staff, fostering a resilient workplace culture, and implementing effective interventions that empower employees, ultimately improving patient care and organisational performance.
12:35 pm - 12:55 pm

Mezzanine room

Platinum sponsor presentation

Interested in sponsoring?
1:00 pm - 1:20 pm

Mezzanine room

Gold sponsor presentations

Interested in sponsoring?
1:20 pm - 2:00 pm

Mezzanine room

Networking lunch

An opportunity to connect with your peers and suppliers to talk over the learnings from the event. Lunch is served buffet style and a range of options are available to cater for different dietary requirements.
2:05 pm - 2:35 pm

Mezzanine room

Fireside chat – Harnessing data for better mental health care

In this fireside chat, speakers will discuss the pivotal role of data in improving patient care within UK mental health trusts. They will explore how real-time data on patient demographics, treatment outcomes, and service utilization can...

In this fireside chat, speakers will discuss the pivotal role of data in improving patient care within UK mental health trusts. They will explore how real-time data on patient demographics, treatment outcomes, and service utilization can help identify care gaps and inform tailored interventions. The discussion will address challenges such as data privacy concerns, interoperability of systems, and the need for staff training.
2:40 pm - 3:00 pm

Mezzanine room

Gold sponsor presentations

Interested in sponsoring?
3:30 pm - 4:45 pm

Mezzanine room

Networking and business meetings

15 minute meetings with suppliers who are offering solutions most relevant to your challenges. Please check the schedule on the back of your delegate pass for your meeting timings.
4:50 pm - 5:30 pm

Mezzanine room

Panel discussion – Building a resilient workforce: the key to transforming mental health care

Ben Richards

Chief Operating Officer
North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust

The closing session will address the critical role of workforce resilience in the face of unprecedented challenges. Highlighting innovative digital tools and strategies, speakers will explore how we can support, empower, and retain menta...

The closing session will address the critical role of workforce resilience in the face of unprecedented challenges. Highlighting innovative digital tools and strategies, speakers will explore how we can support, empower, and retain mental health professionals to drive sustainable transformation and deliver exceptional patient care.
5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Mezzanine room

Hotel check-in / free time
7:30 pm - 10:00 pm

Mezzanine room

Drinks reception and networking dinner

Networking sessions – throughout the event we host a networking lunch as well as a dinner and drinks reception to give you ample opportunity to connect with your peers and suppliers over the learnings from the event. Dinner is served i...

Networking sessions – throughout the event we host a networking lunch as well as a dinner and drinks reception to give you ample opportunity to connect with your peers and suppliers over the learnings from the event. Dinner is served in formal-style seating to a set menu. Our delegate team will speak to you to ensure we cater for any specific dietary requirements.

27 June 2025

8:45 am - 8:50 am

Mezzanine room

Chair's opening remarks
8:50 am - 9:30 am

Mezzanine room

Panel discussion – Digital solutions for mental health equity

Sam is the Director for Primary, Community & Mental Health Digital at Digital Health and Care Wales, a Special Health Authority responsible for digital transformation within NHS Wales. Previously, Sam was the Chief Digital Officer for Local Government in Wales, the first role of its kind in the country. Sam has over 30 years’ experience in the public sector, in central and local government, and now Health. Sam’s focus is bringing together Primary, Community and Mental Health teams to deliver better end-to-end services and to understand the digital and data challenges on the front line of health and care.

Sam Hall

Director of Primary, Community Care and Mental Health Digital Services
NHS Wales

Ian Hogan

Chief Digital Information Officer
Leeds and York Partnership NHS Trust

With a background in engineering, Nicola has successfully led large-scale, complex change initiatives, often digitally enabled, to drive improvements and transformation across the public sector, including integrated care systems. She has served as a Chief Information Officer in NHS and policing, and participated on several national technology councils. Currently, she balances her public appointments, which include serving on the boards of NHS foundation trusts and social housing associations, with her role as a strategic advisor to the health tech industry. Nicola also has lived experience as a carer, and frequently brings that perspective to her thought leadership around whole person-centric care, health and social care integration and health inequalities.

Nicola Haywood-Cleverly

Non Executive Director
University Hospitals Morecambe Bay, Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

How can digital technologies combat systemic health inequalities, ensuring mental health services reach the most vulnerable? This panel will discuss real-world strategies, from data-driven insights to personalised care models, that foste...

How can digital technologies combat systemic health inequalities, ensuring mental health services reach the most vulnerable? This panel will discuss real-world strategies, from data-driven insights to personalised care models, that foster equitable access to timely and effective support across diverse communities.
9:30 am - 9:50 am

Mezzanine room

Platinum sponsor presentation

Interested in sponsoring?
9:50 am - 10:30 am

Mezzanine room

Panel discussion – Addressing the growing demand for mental health services

Sarah Bernard

Clinical Director
CAMHS South London and Community Mental Health

Andy has been with Centre for Mental Health since 2002 and became Chief Executive in January 2023. He has worked for more than 25 years in the voluntary sector, striving for equality and social justice through research, communicating evidence, influencing policy, and informing debate.
Andy was the driving force behind the Commission for Equality in Mental Health, funded by the Elliott Simmons Charitable Trust, established to investigate inequalities in mental health. The Commission’s work culminated in a final report, Mental Health for All, which set out what a system for equality could look like across communities, local and national government.
He is at the forefront of Equally Well UK, a collaborative to support the physical health of people with a mental illness.
He plays a pivotal role in facilitating the Local Authority Mental Health Challenge which engages elected members across the country.

Andy Bell

CEO
Centre for Mental Health

With a background in engineering, Nicola has successfully led large-scale, complex change initiatives, often digitally enabled, to drive improvements and transformation across the public sector, including integrated care systems. She has served as a Chief Information Officer in NHS and policing, and participated on several national technology councils. Currently, she balances her public appointments, which include serving on the boards of NHS foundation trusts and social housing associations, with her role as a strategic advisor to the health tech industry. Nicola also has lived experience as a carer, and frequently brings that perspective to her thought leadership around whole person-centric care, health and social care integration and health inequalities.

Nicola Haywood-Cleverly

Non Executive Director
University Hospitals Morecambe Bay, Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

This session will focus on strategies to reduce waiting times for neurodiversity services, CAMHS, and adult mental health care. Panellists will discuss innovative digital approaches – from virtual assessments to AI-powered triage &...

This session will focus on strategies to reduce waiting times for neurodiversity services, CAMHS, and adult mental health care. Panellists will discuss innovative digital approaches – from virtual assessments to AI-powered triage – that streamline pathways, optimise resources, and ensure timely, patient-centred mental health support across the system.
10:30 am - 11:00 am

Mezzanine room

Quick fire case study session – Transformation of digital mental health services through user led design

Becca Randell is the Mental Health Lead for both Health Innovation Kent Surrey Sussex. She leads on the implementation of evidence-based research and innovation in mental health working with key system stakeholders, academics and innovators.
Becca has over twenty-five years’ experience of commissioning children’s services nationally, regionally and locally across health, local and central government. Becca is passionate about improving the outcomes for seldom heard groups through system-wide transformation and evidence-based research. She is a Senior Research Fellow at University of Sussex. Becca regularly presents on digital mental health and mental health innovation at international and national conferences and lectures on commissioning, innovation and mental health nationwide.
Becca is a trustee of Stonepillow, a Sussex homeless charity, founding trustee and Vice President of Dementia Support and is represented on National BEAT Eating Disorders Advisory Group. Becca is currently completing her book for parents, educators and innovators on children’s digital mental health that she has been commissioned to draft.

Becca Randell

Mental Health Lead
Health Innovation Kent, Surrey & Sussex

Nick is the CIO at Tees, Esk & Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust. He has over 30 years’ experience in Digital and Data in the NHS, working across all sectors; including being a CIO for over 10 years, in Acute, Community and Mental Health NHS Trusts. He is a graduate of the Digital Academy and completing his MSc in Digital Health Leadership at Imperial in 2023, writing his dissertation on EPR usability and successful implementation. Nick is the Digital lead of the North East and North Cumbria Provider Collaborative, and until November 2024 chaired the North East and North Cumbria regional CIO Network.
Having worked for the NHS in Digital and Data roles for over 30 years, Nick has seen huge changes to how the NHS operates and evolves. Whether that was from GP Fundholding to ICBs now; from implementing systems in GP surgeries, Community, Mental Health, Acute and Specialist services and on to Regional services. Furthermore, he was also a Director for Health Call, a wholly NHS owned commercial digital solution provider, delivering providing innovative solutions at scale, across the NHS.

Nick Black

Chief Information Officer
Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust

This session will explore how to measure the impact of user-led design on mental health services for children and young people, focusing on effective evaluation methods. The speaker will address the challenges innovators face in implemen...

This session will explore how to measure the impact of user-led design on mental health services for children and young people, focusing on effective evaluation methods. The speaker will address the challenges innovators face in implementing these designs and discuss strategies to overcome them.
11:00 am - 11:20 am

Mezzanine room

Gold sponsor presentations

Interested in sponsoring?
11:20 am - 12:20 pm

Mezzanine room

Networking and business meetings

15 minute meetings with suppliers who are offering solutions most relevant to your challenges. Please check the schedule on the back of your delegate pass for your meeting timings.
12:20 pm - 1:00 pm

Mezzanine room

Closing panel discussion – Mental health care in emergency departments and urgent care

Samantha Wood

Head of Service for Mental Health
Inpatients & Urgent Care at Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust

Paula Lloyd-Knight

Deputy COO
Black County Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

The closing panel will address the critical role of mental health care in emergency departments and urgent care. Highlighting the challenges and solutions for delivering timely and quality mental health treatment in emergency departments...

The closing panel will address the critical role of mental health care in emergency departments and urgent care. Highlighting the challenges and solutions for delivering timely and quality mental health treatment in emergency departments, speakers will explore barriers to effective care and share strategies to enhance patient outcomes.
1:00 pm - 1:45 pm

Mezzanine room

Networking lunch

An opportunity to connect with your peers and suppliers to talk over the learnings from the event. Lunch is served buffet style and a range of options are available to cater for different dietary requirements.

Day 1
Day 2

HPN Mental Health

HPN MENTAL HEALTH 2025 AGENDA

HPN MENTAL HEALTH 2025 AGENDA

26 - 27 June 2025, East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham

26 June 2025

8:00 am - 8:45 am

Mezzanine room

Registration

8:45 am - 9:00 am

Mezzanine room

Chair's opening remarks

9:00 am - 9:40 am

Mezzanine room

Opening keynote panel – Leading change in mental health care: executive insights

Mark Powell

Chief Executive Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Chris Oliver

Deputy CEO Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust

9:40 am - 10:00 am

Mezzanine room

Keynote address on UK’s mental healthcare system

10:00 am - 10:20 am

Mezzanine room

Headline sponsor presentation

10:20 am - 10:40 am

Mezzanine room

Dragons’ Den – speed presentations

10:45 am - 12:00 pm

Mezzanine room

Networking and business meetings

12:05 pm - 12:35 pm

Mezzanine room

Strengthening the mental health workforce: resilience, culture, and innovation

Farnaaz Sharief

Clinical Lead for Mental Health NHS Medway Clinical

12:35 pm - 12:55 pm

Mezzanine room

Platinum sponsor presentation

1:00 pm - 1:20 pm

Mezzanine room

Gold sponsor presentations

1:20 pm - 2:00 pm

Mezzanine room

Networking lunch

2:05 pm - 2:35 pm

Mezzanine room

Fireside chat – Harnessing data for better mental health care

2:40 pm - 3:00 pm

Mezzanine room

Gold sponsor presentations

3:30 pm - 4:45 pm

Mezzanine room

Networking and business meetings

4:50 pm - 5:30 pm

Mezzanine room

Panel discussion – Building a resilient workforce: the key to transforming mental health care

Ben Richards

Chief Operating Officer North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust

5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Mezzanine room

Hotel check-in / free time

7:30 pm - 10:00 pm

Mezzanine room

Drinks reception and networking dinner

27 June 2025

8:45 am - 8:50 am

Mezzanine room

Chair's opening remarks

8:50 am - 9:30 am

Mezzanine room

Panel discussion – Digital solutions for mental health equity

Sam Hall

Director of Primary, Community Care and Mental Health Digital Services NHS Wales

Ian Hogan

Chief Digital Information Officer Leeds and York Partnership NHS Trust

Nicola Haywood-Cleverly

Non Executive Director University Hospitals Morecambe Bay, Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

9:30 am - 9:50 am

Mezzanine room

Platinum sponsor presentation

9:50 am - 10:30 am

Mezzanine room

Chief Executive
Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Deputy CEO
Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust

Clinical Lead for Mental Health
NHS Medway Clinical

Chief Operating Officer
North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust

Director of Primary, Community Care and Mental Health Digital Services
NHS Wales

Chief Digital Information Officer
Leeds and York Partnership NHS Trust

Non Executive Director
University Hospitals Morecambe Bay, Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Clinical Director
CAMHS South London and Community Mental Health

CEO
Centre for Mental Health

Non Executive Director
University Hospitals Morecambe Bay, Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Mental Health Lead
Health Innovation Kent, Surrey & Sussex

Chief Information Officer
Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust

Head of Service for Mental Health
Inpatients & Urgent Care at Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust

Deputy COO
Black County Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust