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Event
The King’s Fund Annual Leadership and Workforce Summit 2026
Shaping tomorrow: leading with humanity in a changing world
We are living through a time of profound transformation and disruption, including technological acceleration, demographic shifts, and growing complexity across health and care – all taking place against the backdrop of the government's 10 Year Health Plan, upcoming NHS Workforce Plan and the Independent commission into adult social care. Yet within this disruption lies opportunity: to lead differently, to connect more deeply, and to centre humanity in our systems.
The Leadership and Workforce Summit 2026 was a space to explore what it meant to lead with courage, compassion and clarity in this context. It invited leaders, managers, practitioners, and partners from across health, social care, the independent sector, local government and the voluntary, community, and social enterprise sector (VCSE) to shape a future rooted in equity, compassion and possibility.
Together, we explored how leadership and management could help us stay grounded in what mattered most, create cultures where people thrived, and build a more inclusive, responsive and resilient system. One that put people and communities at its heart.
Attendees experienced honest conversations, practical tools, and fresh thinking from across health and care. It was a space to pause, reflect and reconnect with purpose – with a community of people who cared deeply about making health and care better and to explore how leadership could help shape a better future for staff, communities and the wider system.
Sessions included...
What does humanity look like in the changing world and its place in the future of health and care?
The importance of high-calibre, well-trained management and clinical leadership are critical to the delivery of the ambitions of the 10 Year Health Plan
Compassionate leadership: addressing moral injury and leading with humanity
AI and leadership – realising the potential and staying human in a digitally accelerated world
How to build inclusive, intergenerational teams that reflect the communities we serve
How to share power and co-produce services with communities and the VCSE sector
What kind of leadership is needed to reimagine social care, prevention and community health
Creating cultures of safety: preventing sexual harassment and misconduct in health and care
Embracing difference as a system strength
How to lead through complexity, uncertainty and rapid change
2026 speakers
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Professor Bola Owolabi CBE
Chief Inspector of Primary and Community Services, Care Quality Commission -
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Danny Mortimer
Director General, People, Department of Health and Social Care -
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Dr Shankar Sridharan
National Clinical Lead for Artificial Intelligence at NHS England and a Consultant Paediatric Cardiologist at Great Ormond Street Hospital -
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Professor Judith Smith
Professor of Health Policy and Management, Health Services Management Centre, University of Birmingham -
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Professor Sir Chris Ham
Former Chief Executive -
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Emma Challans-Rasool
Founder and Director of Proud2bOps and Director of NHS Horizons -
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Matthew Trainer
Chief Executive, Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust (BHRUT) -
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Dr Nnenna Osuji
Incoming Chief Executive, NHS North East London
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'It's so important to take time to develop ourselves as individuals and leaders. If the workforce is the NHS's greatest asset, then we, as leaders in that workforce, have a responsibility to invest in ourselves and each other. This conference provided a window of time for reflection with excellent speakers, facilities and topics to allow us to return to our workplaces inspired and better equipped to resume the quest for change.'
2025 event attendee
2026 sponsors
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Sponsorship and exhibition
If you would like a conversation about your business goals, and how being involved with future events can help you, you find out more here or email the Partnerships team.
2026 programme
Thursday, 19 Mar 2026
Join peers to explore how leadership can help us stay grounded in what matters most, create cultures where people thrive, and build a more inclusive, responsive and resilient system – one that puts people and communities at its heart.
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Frequently asked questions
Got a question about our events? Go to our frequently asked questions.
Contact us
If you'd like to get in touch regarding current or future events get in touch today.
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Booking or programme enquiries
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Sponsorship and exhibition enquiries