We are sponsoring ConfedExpo – the biggest event in the NHS calendar!
Join us at stand C38 on 10th and 11th June 2026 at Manchester Central to discover how we can help you put more people in places to care.
Welcome to Confed 2026
I am delighted to welcome you to this year’s event in my capacity as Chair of NHS Professionals (NHSP), which I joined in April 2026.
As you may be aware, I previously served as National Medical Director for NHS England from 2018 to 2025. During this time, I worked closely with Trust leaders across the system on patient safety, clinical quality and workforce resilience.
NHSP is the largest provider of flexible workforce services to the NHS, working in partnership with 66% of NHS Trusts to support safe staffing across a wide range of clinical and non-clinical roles.
NHSP acts as a cost-saving alternative - or complementary addition - to an in-house bank. In 2024/25, our services displaced £795m of agency spend across the system and provided over 46 million hours of care via our dedicated Bank Member workforce.
By supporting NHS Trusts and other healthcare organisations in this way, we continue to reduce reliance on agencies while maintaining continuity of care and providing the highest-quality staffing solutions.
In my role as Chair, I am keen that NHSP remains closely connected to the realities facing Trusts, particularly where services are under pressure and workforce stability is crucial to service improvement. NHSP is a uniquely placed organisation, wholly owned by the Department for Health and Social Care. We are not focused on shareholders or profit, but on patient care and NHS productivity.
I strongly believe there has never been a more important time for the flexible workforce to play a full role in supporting our NHS. As such, I look forward to connecting with colleagues from across the system during this year’s conference and discussing how we can work together to deliver an NHS fit for the future.
Yours sincerely,
Professor Sir Stephen Powis
Chair, NHS Professionals
Wednesday 10th June | 12pm-12.40pm | Location: Exchange Auditorium
Chair: Rosa Waddingham
Director of Nursing, Nottingham & Nottinghamshire ICB
Haris Sultan
Joint NED, Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust
Sarah Woolnough
CEO, Kings Fund
Giovanna Leeks
Chief People Officer, Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust
Already used by over 100 NHS Trusts and healthcare organisations nationwide, we provide complete end-to-end temporary staffing solutions. Explore our services and learn more about why partnering with NHS Professionals can help your organisation's workforce succeed.
Take a look at real-world results from our partnerships across the NHS.
For further information, including this year's conference agenda, please visit the NHS ConfedExpo website.
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