Governance expertise in health sector deserves greater recognition’, says CGIUKI chief executive

The chief executive of The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland (CGIUKI) has today called for greater appreciation of those working in health sector governance believing that their contribution to the NHS does not always get the acknowledgment that it deserves.

Sara Drake, chief executive of the Institute says:

“Everyone knows the importance that the UK public attaches to the NHS and never has this been more evident than in the past 18 months as those working in the health service have worked tirelessly to save lives from COVID-19. It is not just frontline staff like doctors and nurses or the volunteers manning vaccination centres who have played a part in the NHS’ response to the pandemic, however. A whole host of NHS staff working in the background, including governance professionals, have ensured that the health service has risen to the challenge and they deserve the credit that is due to them.

“What is more, the Government’s proposals to move the NHS to an Integrated Care System will have a significant impact on the way in which governance is managed in the health sector. While the move has been going on in the background for years and the Health and Care Bill just places the proposals on a firmer, statutory footing, governance professionals will undoubtedly have been making preparations for some time to manage any risks that this shift might entail.

“Last year, Paul Denton, Deputy Company Secretary and Head of Risk at North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust was named Governance Professional of the Year at the Institute’s 2020 Awards for his work to develop the understanding and management of risk within the Trust. The Trust also won an award for Diversity & Inclusion Initiative of the Year for the success of its Ordinary Residency policy review in reaching BAME and marginalised communities. Despite the challenges of the past 18 months, we have seen some incredibly innovative projects in the governance community and I am keen to make sure that governance professionals working within the NHS have a chance to be recognised for their efforts. I would like to encourage all those with a good story to tell to put themselves or their colleagues forward for the Institute’s 2021 Awards. They represent a really good opportunity for the governance heroes in the NHS to shine.”

Nominations are sought in the following categories:

• Governance Champion of the Year
• Governance Professional of the Year
• Company Secretary of the Year
• The One to Watch
• Team of the Year
• Service Provider of the Year
• Governance Project of the Year
• Diversity & Inclusion Initiative of the Year
• ESG Initiative of the Year.

Descriptions of each of the categories can be found at www.cgi.org.uk/awards/categories. Nominations close on 3 September and can be submitted online at www.cgi.org.uk/awards/nominate.

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Notes to Editors:

1. The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland is the qualifying and membership body for governance with over 125 years’ experience of educating and supporting governance professionals. With a Royal Charter purpose of leading ‘effective and efficient governance and administration of commerce, industry and public affairs’, we provide professional development, guidance and thought leadership, and work with regulators and policy makers to champion high standards.
   
   The Institute has divisions in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong/China, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Southern Africa, the United Kingdom and Zimbabwe. The division headquartered in London represents and supports members in the UK, Republic of Ireland, Crown Dependencies and associated territories, which include the Caribbean, sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, Mauritius and Sri Lanka. Website: www.cgi.org.uk 
2. About the Awards: The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland Awards ceremony is the largest event of its kind in the UK and the highlight of the governance social calendar. Each year, the Awards bring together the crème de la crème of the governance profession to celebrate excellence in the delivery, oversight and reporting of governance. Nominees reflect the very best achievements from across the governance community. The 2020 Awards ceremony took a socially distanced approach and was hosted virtually. This year the Awards are returning to Park Lane Hilton on 16 November so that winners and their peers can celebrate in style.