The NEP Annual Conference brought together NHS organisations from across the Consortium for two days of learning, discussion, new ideas and celebration.

With colleagues joining from across the NEP community, the conference provided an opportunity to step away from the day-to-day, share experiences with other NHS organisations and explore developments across finance, procurement, reporting and technology.

The conference opened with a warm welcome from Tim Elliott, setting the tone for two days centred around collaboration, shared experience and delivering for the NHS.

One of the highlights of the opening session as Eddie “the Eagle” Edwards, who shared his story of determination, resilience and taking on challenges in a very different way. His appearance brought plenty of energy to the conference and offered an inspiring perspective on what can be achieved by embracing new challenges.

Sir Jim Mackey also joined us through a pre-recorded address, having been called to meet the Prime Minister at short noticed. He reflected on the significant challenges facing the NHS, including unprecedented savings requirements and the need to deliver services with a reduced workforce.

His address reinforced the importance of collaboration and shared learning in responding to these pressures. He highlighted the value of partnerships such as the NEP Consortium, where organisations work together, share experience and identify opportunities to improve. By pooling knowledge and expertise, we can find better ways of working, make more effective use of resources and achieve more together, supporting NHS organisations to meet the demanding targets ahead.

We were finally joined by Kelly Pierce MBE, Senior Director for Health from Oracle, whose contribution was particularly well received. With her experience across the technology and healthcare landscape, Kelly brought an engaging perspective on the role of technology and innovation in shaping the future of the NHS.

 

Bringing new faces into the community

For some attendees, this was their first NEP Annual Conference.

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust joined the NEP Consortium in April 2026, making this year’s conference an opportunity to meet other members and learn from organisations that have been part of the Consortium for longer.

One member from Cambridge University Hospitals said:

“We’re thrilled to be part of the NEP community going forward, having joined the network in April this year. It was a fantastic opportunity to connect with so many colleagues from across the NHS, particularly organisations who have been using NEP for much longer, and to hear about their experiences, learning and best practice.

We’re really looking forward to exploring the new functionality available to CUH and continuing to learn from and collaborate with others across the network.”

For newer members, being able to meet other NHS organisations face-to-face can provide a different perspective on the challenges they face and how others are approaching them.

 

Learning from people facing the same challenges

Some of the most valued conversations at the conference happened outside the main presentations.

Alongside the programme of sessions, attendees could take part in expert clinics, Network Connect sessions and an open forum with NEP colleagues. Ahead of the conference, attendees were invited to put forward questions or topics they wanted to discuss, helping shape conversations around what mattered most to them.

This created space for open discussion rather than simply listening to presentations. Members could raise a question, hear how NEP colleagues approach it and then continue the conversation with other NHS organisations facing similar challenges.

Kevin Robinson from Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust highlighted the value of having an environment where those conversations could happen naturally:

“The conference removes that formality and allows for free-flowing chats.”

He also described the event as a useful opportunity to meet other Consortium members and gain from their insights, knowledge and expertise.

A question raised by one organisation can lead to an idea from another, while hearing how another organisation has approached a particular challenge can provide a starting point for a different solution.

 

Exploring what comes next

Alongside the opportunity to learn from one another, the conference offered a look at some of the developments and ideas shaping the future of NEP.

Reporting and data were a key part of the programme, with discussions around the future of NEP Reach Reporting and how emerging technologies could open up new ways of using information. Attendees also explored the potential of AI within EPM planning and how it could turn information into more useful intelligence for NHS organisations.

Procurement featured strongly too, including work around standardising NHS product data through the One NEP Catalogue and the potential of using wider Consortium data to help organisations understand purchasing patterns and identify opportunities.

The Procurement Price Bench provided an example of how these ideas could translate into practical tools for NHS organisations, exploring how data could potentially help Trusts compare what they are paying and identify areas for further investigation.

Other sessions looked at the NEP roadmap, transactional reporting and the move towards eInvoicing and Peppol, giving attendees a broader view of both current developments and what is coming next.

The sessions were designed to give an overview rather than simply present finished solutions, giving members the opportunity to ask questions, share their experiences and provide feedback.

 

Shaped by the people who use it

The conversations throughout the conference highlighted the value of having NHS organisations, NEP colleagues and partners in the same room.

Creating space for open discussion means members can raise questions, share what they are experiencing in their own organisations and hear different perspectives from colleagues across the Consortium. Those conversations can help identify challenges, share practical solutions and shape ideas for the future. development of NEP services and solutions.

“Our annual conference continues to be a valuable opportunity to bring NHS organisations, NEP colleagues and partners together to share experiences, learn from one another and explore new ideas. These conversations help us better understand the challenges our members face, identify where further support is needed and shape the future development of NEP services and solutions.

The continued success of our conference reflects the strength of our Consortium and the importance of working collaboratively to ensure our members’ voices help shape what we do.”

Tim Elliott
Managing Director, NEP

 

An opportunity to celebrate

After two days of presentations, workshops, expert discussions and conversations, the conference moved into an evening dedicated to celebrating the people who make up the NEP Consortium.

West End Nights brought colleagues together for live entertainment, a gala dinner and the NEP Awards Ceremony, with attendees embracing the theatre-inspired evening.

Away from the conference programme, it was an opportunity to catch up with colleagues in a different setting, celebrating achievements and recognise the positive work taking place across the Consortium.

It was also a reminder that the Annual Conference is about more than sessions and presentations. It provides time for colleagues to reconnect, make new connections and celebrate what has been achieved together over the past year.

The 2026 NEP Awards provided an opportunity to celebrate the people behind the achievements in finance and procurement, alongside the different ways individuals contribute to the wider NEP community.

NEP Client Recognition Award

Winner: Adam Greener, NEP

Finance Innovation Award

Winner: Michael Franklin, Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Procurement Innovation Award

Winner: Ian Graham, City Hospitals Independent Commercial Enterprise Ltd

Melanie Savory Contributor of the Year Award

Winner: Thomas Hart, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Congratulations to all our winners and thank you to everyone across the Consortium who continues to contribute to the work, development and success of the NEP community.

 

Looking ahead

The Annual Conference provides one of the clearest opportunities in the year to see the breadth of the NEP Consortium in one place.

For newer members, it offers a chance to build relationships and learn from organisations further along their NEP journey. For established members, it provides an opportunity to share experiences, explore new developments and contribute their own knowledge.

This year’s conference once again brought those different perspectives together, from practical conversations between NHS colleagues to discussions around emerging technology and the future development of NEP.

As the Consortium continues to grow and evolve, the involvement and experience of its members will remain an important part of that journey.

The NEP Annual Conference has become a highlight of the year for the wider community, and we are already looking ahead to next year’s conference and what it will bring, as we continue to grow, innovate, and deliver even greater value to our members.