HPN MIDLANDS 2026 AGENDA

23 – 24 June 2026, East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham

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.

Days

Hours

Minutes

Seconds

Day 1
Day 2

23 June 2026

8:15 am - 8:45 am

Main Room

Registration
8:45 am - 9:00 am

Main Room

Chair’s opening remarks

Welcome to HPN Midlands!
9:00 am - 9:40 am

Main Room

Opening keynote panel – Navigating the New NHS Landscape: embracing the opportunities and challenges ahead

Ravi Kaur Sahota

Interim Operational Chief Information Officer
The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust

Mark Powell

Chief Executive
Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Penny Kechagioglou

Chief Clinical Information Officer and Deputy Chief Medical Officer
University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire

Almost a year on from the NHS’s 10-Year Plan, this panel will reflect on the progress made, the challenges encountered, and the opportunities that lie ahead. We will explore strategies to overcome ongoing obstacles and drive forward to...

Almost a year on from the NHS’s 10-Year Plan, this panel will reflect on the progress made, the challenges encountered, and the opportunities that lie ahead. We will explore strategies to overcome ongoing obstacles and drive forward to achieve the goals set out in the plan. The discussion will also consider how stronger partnerships, working at scale, and greater integration across systems can support sustainable delivery and improved outcomes. Join us for a forward-looking discussion on how to navigate the evolving NHS landscape and make meaningful progress.
9:40 am - 10:00 am

Main Room

Headline sponsor presentation

Interested in sponsoring?
10:00 am - 10:40 am

Main 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

Main 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 - 12:45 pm

Main Room

Roundtable discussion – Innovation unlocked: smarter NHS–supplier collaboration for faster impact

NHS executive leader with a track record of success in delivery, transformation, innovation and improvement. Previously in leadership roles in UK and International Financial Services, NHS Acute trusts and commissioning organisations, James is currently the NHS England – London Region Director of Digital Strategy championing the use of digital tools and data at scale to simplify clinical workflows, align capacity with demand and accelerate patient treatment and a member of the Greater London Authority’s Data for London Advisory Board. Previously a Local Authority Leader, James undertakes non-executive Director roles including Vice-Chair at Health Innovation Network South London and charity trustee positions.

James Friend

Director of Digital Strategy
NHS England - London Region

Innovation can only make a difference when it reaches clinicians and patients quickly. This roundtable explores how the NHS and suppliers can simplify procurement, reduce delays, and create faster more reliable routes to adoption. Togeth...

Innovation can only make a difference when it reaches clinicians and patients quickly. This roundtable explores how the NHS and suppliers can simplify procurement, reduce delays, and create faster more reliable routes to adoption. Together, participants will define what effective collaboration looks like under current constraints and considers emerging opportunities for smarter, more future-ready partnerships.
12:50 pm - 1:10 pm

Main Room

Gold sponsor presentations

Interested in sponsoring?
1:15 pm - 2:00 pm

Main 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

Main Room

Panel discussion – Maintaining the quality and safety of patient data for improved patient outcomes

Raz Edwards

Head of Data Security & Protection
Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust

Engage in a panel discussion on maintaining the quality and safety of patient data. Panellists will address common challenges, share practical strategies for safeguarding sensitive information, and explore approaches to ensure data integ...

Engage in a panel discussion on maintaining the quality and safety of patient data. Panellists will address common challenges, share practical strategies for safeguarding sensitive information, and explore approaches to ensure data integrity while meeting regulatory standards. Attendees will hear diverse perspectives on protecting patient trust.
2:40 pm - 3:25 pm

Main Room

Gold sponsor presentations

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

Main 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

Main Room

Closing keynote panel – Creating a culture of AI readiness in the NHS

Filipe Alves

Group Chief Nursing Information Officer
Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

Alexander Deng

Programme Lead for NHS Fellowship in Clinical AI
Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust

Yat Wah Li

Chief Clinical Information Officer
Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust

Sunreet Randhawa

Clinical Lead AI Deployment and Clinical Safety
NHS England

This session will explore how the NHS can develop a confident, capable, and AI-literate workforce to support the safe, ethical, and effective use of emerging technologies in health and care. Understand the AI capabilities required across...

This session will explore how the NHS can develop a confident, capable, and AI-literate workforce to support the safe, ethical, and effective use of emerging technologies in health and care. Understand the AI capabilities required across clinical, operational, and administrative roles; practical strategies for delivering training at scale; and approaches to fostering trust, transparency, and responsible adoption of AI tools.
5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Main Room

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

Main 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.

24 June 2026

8:45 am - 8:55 am

Main Room

Chairs' opening remarks

Welcome to HPN Midlands!
8:55 am - 9:35 am

Main Room

Opening keynote panel – Optimising digital transformation: how do we realise the benefits?

Ravi Kaur Sahota

Interim Operational Chief Information Officer
The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust

NHS executive leader with a track record of success in delivery, transformation, innovation and improvement. Previously in leadership roles in UK and International Financial Services, NHS Acute trusts and commissioning organisations, James is currently the NHS England – London Region Director of Digital Strategy championing the use of digital tools and data at scale to simplify clinical workflows, align capacity with demand and accelerate patient treatment and a member of the Greater London Authority’s Data for London Advisory Board. Previously a Local Authority Leader, James undertakes non-executive Director roles including Vice-Chair at Health Innovation Network South London and charity trustee positions.

James Friend

Director of Digital Strategy
NHS England - London Region

Tom Davidson

Chief Information Officer
Barnsley Hospital NHS FT

For years, we have discussed implementing digital transformation and AI into all aspects of the NHS; now we must assess what have been the tangible benefits and the barriers preventing wider adoption and optimisation. Hear from leaders i...

For years, we have discussed implementing digital transformation and AI into all aspects of the NHS; now we must assess what have been the tangible benefits and the barriers preventing wider adoption and optimisation. Hear from leaders in the NHS on how successful change has been implemented in their organisation; how it has benefitted patients and staff, while also exploring the challenges of scaling innovation across organisations and systems.
9:35 am - 9:55 am

Main Room

Platinum sponsor presentation

Interested in sponsoring?
10:00 am - 10:30 am

Main Room

Getting the fundamentals right: planning and resourcing for future success

A focus on robust planning, capacity resourcing and clear goals to enable NHS organisations to deliver safe care, manage demand and sustain improvement despite tight finances and workforce struggles.
10:35 am - 10:55 am

Main Room

Gold sponsor presentations

Interested in sponsoring?
11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Main 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 - 12:45 pm

Main Room

Group panel discussion – Collaborating for continuity: the future of integrated neighbourhood health

Buki Adeyemo

Chief Executive
North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust

This session explores how primary, secondary, and mental health services can collaborate to deliver neighbourhood health. It examines the primary–secondary care interface, avoiding duplication and friction, clarifying shared care, and ...

This session explores how primary, secondary, and mental health services can collaborate to deliver neighbourhood health. It examines the primary–secondary care interface, avoiding duplication and friction, clarifying shared care, and creating seamless cross-sector pathways that improve continuity, experience, and outcomes for patients.
12:50 pm - 1:20 pm

Main Room

Closing keynote address
1:20 pm - 1:30 pm

Main Room

Chair's closing remarks
1:30 pm - 2:15 pm

Main 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.
10:00 am - 10:30 am

Breakout Room 1

Promoting a digital literate NHS workforce

A breakout session on moving digital and data literacy from strategy to practice, sharing what’s working, what’s not, and how NHS teams are embedding skills into everyday roles.
10:00 am - 10:30 am

Breakout Room 2

Embracing data and analytics to drive more productive NHS workflows

Explore how the NHS can use data and analytics to streamline workflows, improve clinical and operational decision-making, and enhance productivity while supporting better patient outcomes.
10:00 am - 10:30 am

Breakout Room 3

Moving at pace with innovation whilst maintaining clinical safety

Examines how the NHS can accelerate innovation through agile governance, digital transformation and partnerships, while protecting patients.

Day 1
Day 2

HPN MIDLANDS 2026 AGENDA

23 – 24 June 2026, East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham

Days

Hours

Minutes

Seconds

HPN MIDLANDS 2026 AGENDA

23 June 2026

8:15 am - 8:45 am

Main Room

Registration

8:45 am - 9:00 am

Main Room

Chair’s opening remarks

9:00 am - 9:40 am

Main Room

Opening keynote panel – Navigating the New NHS Landscape: embracing the opportunities and challenges ahead

Ravi Kaur Sahota

Interim Operational Chief Information Officer The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust

Mark Powell

Chief Executive Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Penny Kechagioglou

Chief Clinical Information Officer and Deputy Chief Medical Officer University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire

9:40 am - 10:00 am

Main Room

Headline sponsor presentation

10:00 am - 10:40 am

Main Room

Dragons' den - speed presentations

10:45 am - 12:00 pm

Main Room

Networking and business meetings

12:05 pm - 12:45 pm

Main Room

Roundtable discussion – Innovation unlocked: smarter NHS–supplier collaboration for faster impact

James Friend

Director of Digital Strategy NHS England - London Region

12:50 pm - 1:10 pm

Main Room

Gold sponsor presentations

1:15 pm - 2:00 pm

Main Room

Networking lunch

2:05 pm - 2:35 pm

Main Room

Panel discussion – Maintaining the quality and safety of patient data for improved patient outcomes

Raz Edwards

Head of Data Security & Protection Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust

2:40 pm - 3:25 pm

Main Room

Gold sponsor presentations

3:30 pm - 4:45 pm

Main Room

Networking and business meetings

4:50 pm - 5:30 pm

Main Room

Closing keynote panel – Creating a culture of AI readiness in the NHS

Filipe Alves

Group Chief Nursing Information Officer Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

Alexander Deng

Programme Lead for NHS Fellowship in Clinical AI Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust

Yat Wah Li

Chief Clinical Information Officer Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust

Sunreet Randhawa

Clinical Lead AI Deployment and Clinical Safety NHS England

5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Main Room

Hotel check-in / free time

7:30 pm - 10:00 pm

Main Room

Drinks reception and networking dinner

24 June 2026

8:45 am - 8:55 am

Main Room

Chairs' opening remarks

8:55 am - 9:35 am

Main Room

Opening keynote panel – Optimising digital transformation: how do we realise the benefits?

Ravi Kaur Sahota

Interim Operational Chief Information Officer The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust

James Friend

Director of Digital Strategy NHS England - London Region

Tom Davidson

Chief Information Officer Barnsley Hospital NHS FT

9:35 am - 9:55 am

Main Room

Interim Operational Chief Information Officer
The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust

Chief Executive
Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Chief Clinical Information Officer and Deputy Chief Medical Officer
University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire

Director of Digital Strategy
NHS England - London Region

Head of Data Security & Protection
Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust

Group Chief Nursing Information Officer
Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

Programme Lead for NHS Fellowship in Clinical AI
Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust

Chief Clinical Information Officer
Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust

Clinical Lead AI Deployment and Clinical Safety
NHS England

Interim Operational Chief Information Officer
The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust

Director of Digital Strategy
NHS England - London Region

Chief Information Officer
Barnsley Hospital NHS FT

Chief Executive
North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust