The Chairs’ Group is an informal group made up of the Chairs of those Trusts who are members of the Association of UK University Hospitals.

The group meets twice a year at St. Thomas’ Hospital, London, to discuss matters of mutual interest and to explore key issues in depth. The group has been convened by Dr Mary Archer, Chair of Cambridge University Hospitals, since November 2008 and is supported by a secretary.

A guest speaker normally attends each meeting, and recent speakers have included: Andrew Lansley, Secretary of State for Health; John Appleby, Chief Economist, The King’s Fund; Professor Bruce Keogh, NHS Medical Director; Baroness Barbara Young, Dr Bill Moyes and Mr Ian Dalton.

One of the group’s ongoing projects concerns comparative analysis and benchmarking across key areas including finance, operations and performance so that emerging national trends and common challenges can be more easily recognised.

The group is politically neutral and draws on its membership in order to highlight, through occasional correspondence with the government, key issues of concern as and when the need arises. In 2010, this included a joint response to the government’s white paper consultation on healthcare reforms.