A finance director at Stockport NHS Foundation Trust has been shortlisted for an award by the body which represents NHS financial services across the country.

Kay Wiss, Deputy Finance Director for the trust which runs Stepping Hill Hospital and community NHS services across Stockport, is a finalist in the national awards run by the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA).

Kay has been working in the trust’s finance team for 17 years, and has been recognised for helping to lead a positive culture in department which helped make it one of a small group of trusts in the north west finance region to retain the highest level of accreditation from the Finance Leadership Council and NHS Skills Development Network.  She has also played a key role in furthering partnerships with other NHS finance departments across Greater Manchester, including helping to set up a GM Deputy Director of Finance Group.  

She has been praised for ability to present national, regional, and local financial policy in a way that is relatable to and understood by all colleagues, not just those working in finance. Kay is a champion for all things relating to staff development and has supported colleagues not only in her own team but across the north west through mentoring.

Kay is a finalist in the ‘Deputy Finance Director of the Year’ category in the awards, alongside deputy directors from County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, and Bolton NHS Foundation Trust. The winners will be announced in London at the HFMA annual conference in December.

Stockport NHS Foundation Trust Chief Finance Officer and Deputy Chief Executive John Graham said “Kay is a fantastic person and colleague, someone who takes it upon herself to get to know people and provide them with the support they need to help them develop – she genuinely cares about people as individuals and their development and health & wellbeing. Everyone in the department, and I believe the in the wider finance community is delighted to see these qualities being recognised by Kay being shortlisted in the HFMA awards, and we wish her the best of luck in the finals.”