Helen Buckingham

She has 25 years’ experience in NHS roles, including senior roles in national bodies, as well as in both commissioner and provider organisations. In June 2018 Helen took on the role of director of strategy and operations for the trust.

A finance professional by background, Helen’s past roles include director of strategy and organisational development in a mental health trust; PCT chief executive; chief of staff at Monitor; and most recently director of corporate affairs at NHS Improvement. 

Helen has particular interests in the development and implementation of strategies leading to clear delivery of outcomes. She also focuses on the development of effective partnerships within organisations and across systems, and also between public sector bodies and the populations they serve.  

Helen was appointed as the chair of National Voices in December 2020, a role which will enable her to continue her work supporting organisations to look at policies and practice through a truly person centred lens, ensuring that people who use services are never seen as less important than those who deliver them.