Chairs and non-executives are an important NHS leadership group. As independent board members they hold the executive to account, and in doing so build patient, public and stakeholder confidence in the NHS. The NHS Confederation report “Chairs and non-executives in the NHS: The need for diverse leadership” showed that there was insufficient diversity in those appointed to these roles in the NHS. In response, an independent taskforce was set up to address this issue and support the diversity ambition of the NHS People Plan. This session will include:

• A presentation of work carried out by the NED Diversity Taskforce, including results and recommendations from the ensuing report.

• Hearing from Chairs and Non-Executives who are successfully diversifying their Boards.

• Hearing from NHSEI about strengthening diverse leadership in line with the NHS People Plan and ways of working proactively in partnership with the Taskforce on next steps to achieve this.