Careers Fair

We empower career pathways, hosting an impactful careers fair with three focuses: bringing together hiring employers, supporting apprenticship pathways and elevating local volunteering opportunities.

Day one - Residents
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Business Conference

A breakfast B2B summit for business leaders, executives and decison-makers in workforce development and planning. Keynotes focusing on workforce and skills needs, challenges and opportunities in a rapidly changing economy.

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Key stakeholders

Proudly supported by:

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West Essex Health & Care Conference

Wednesday 5th November, 9am - 12pm

Epping Forest Civic Offices
Register For Free!

About The Event - Why Attend?

Epping Forest District Council and system partners launched an ambitious Health and Wellbeing Strategy for the district in 2022. One of the principle objectives of the strategy was to support residents into local employment opportunities in our anchor institutions, to support sustainable public services with a particular focus on health and care.

The healthcare sector is changing rapidly, and next year we will see devolution of powers to a local Mayoral authority as well as local government reorganisation begin to take shape. This means greater powers such as the responsibility for training and skills being held at a local level, something that we believe creates a huge amount of opportunities for collaboration in West Essex.

Attend this event to hear key stakeholders share their thoughts on the rapidly changing health and social care ecosystem.

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Cllr Holly Whitbread
Finance & Economic Dev. Portfolio Holder
Epping Forest District Council
Holly Whitbread is a Conservative Councillor for Epping Forest and Essex County. She leads on finance, economic development, and health, chairs Epping Forest Conservatives, and is a vocal advocate on local issues, including asylum accommodation.
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Workforce 2026 - Current & Future Skills Needs

The NHS, health and social care sector faces significant challenges: workforce shortages, an ageing population and steep rising demand for care. Compounding political and economic factors impact growth, and wider system changes such as the merger of Health Education England, need to be navigated.

In West Essex, our proximity to London, means local employers struggle to compete against a Greater London salary incentive, losing promising local talent. How can sustainable local, domestic pipelines support future growth?

Attend this session to hear key stakeholders share their thoughts on current and future skills needs of their workforce, their plans and ambitions for their organisations.

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Cllr John Spence
Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Adult Social Care, Public Health Integration
Essex County Council
John Spence was elected to Essex County Council in 2013 representing Chelmer Division. Currently Cabinet Member for Health & Adult Social Care. Blind since 1990 he has been Chairman of local disability charities, and has a CBE for services to the Community, to Charity and to Business.
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Dr Andrew Kelso
Chief Medical Officer
The Princess Alexandra Hospital Trust

Dr Andrew Kelso joined PAHT in August 2025. Previously Exec. Medical Director at Suffolk and North East Essex ICB, with a strong background in medical leadership, patient safety, quality improvement and EDI.


Supported by Jamie Coates, PAHT Head of People - resourcing and retention.

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Nicole Rich
Director
EPUT West Essex Community Physical & Mental Health Services

With nearly 30 years in the NHS, starting as a Podiatrist, Nicole has led community services, commissioning, and service transformation. She is passionate about integrated care, helping people remain well at home, and supporting the next generation of the NHS workforce.

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Speaker
To be announced

Speaker to be announced shortly. Register for latest announcements!

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Power Of Community Networks

Community networks play a vital role in supporting NHS and health and social care recruitment by reaching local talent that traditional advertising often overlooks.

As health and social care employers seek to fill critical shortages - from healthcare support workers to nurses and allied health professionals - leveraging community connections, could establish a more diverse, locally rooted and resilient pipeline of staff. Explore how local partners such as community groups, educational institutions and DWP, can support and empower organisations like yours.

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Cllr (Dr) Kaz Rizvi
Community Health and Wellbeing Portfolio Holder
Epping Forest District Council
Cllr (Dr) Kaz Rizvi is a District Councillor for Chigwell with Lambourne Ward and a GP Partner in Buckhurst Hill. Alongside his clinical role, Cllr Rizvi is passionate about improving population health and reducing health inequalities, he works to bridge the gap between local healthcare delivery and community wellbeing initiatives.
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Rick Schunemann
Principal Planning Officer
Epping Forest District Council

Principal Planning and Economic Development professional at Epping Forest DC, championing sustainable growth through strategic planning and innovation.

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Lauren Phillips
Strategic Partnerships Lead - Herts & Essex EoE Group
DWP - Operations

Strategic Partnerships Lead for DWP in Hertfordshire and Essex. I am passionate about improving the quality of employment, skills and training opportunities to help move Jobcentre customers closer to the labour market and eventually to gain sustainable employment to transform their lives.

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Speaker
To be announced

Speaker to be announced shortly. Register for latest announcements!

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Future Workforce

The health and social care workforce of the future, will need to be more digitally skilled, adaptable, and multidisciplinary than ever before. How can organisations prepare for emerging skill needs in areas like digital health, AI, genomics, and sustainable healthcare. Alongside these technical capabilities, soft skills - such as communication, cultural competence, teamwork, and leadership - will be essential to support patient-centred, integrated services.

How can organisations ensure the workforce is equipped to deliver high-quality, modern services in the years ahead? Attend this session to hear key stakeholders share their plans, and future vision.

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Speaker
To be announced

Speaker to be announced shortly. Register for latest announcements!
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Dr Simon Cork
Admissions and Widening Participation Lead for Medicine
Anglia Ruskin University

Dr Simon Cork oversees policy and strategic development in admissions, positioning Anglia Ruskin University’s School of Medicine as a national leader in widening access.

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Speaker
To be announced

Speaker to be announced shortly. Register for latest announcements!

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Gerry McDonald CBE
Group Principal & CEO
New City College (East London & South Essex)

Gerry McDonald CBE is a nationally recognised leader in further education, committed to innovation, inclusion, and raising aspirations to transform student lives and communities.


Supported by Jacqueline Mitchell, Principal of Epping Forest & Redbridge campuses.

Register For Free!

Attending Organisations

Join and network with other leading organisations:

Event Details:
Date:
Weds 5th Nov 2025
Arrival & networking
9:15am
Welcomes & keynote
9:45am
Panels start
10:00am
Panels end & netowrking lunch
12:00pm
Location
Epping Forest Civic Offices
Location map:

Business Networking

Meet fellow attendees and forge new connections.
You are invited to an informal business lunch, networking with business leaders, executives and decision makers.
Register For Free!
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