King’s Business School has formalised a new strategic partnership with King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, bringing together academic expertise and frontline NHS experience to support the delivery of high‑quality, sustainable healthcare.
The partnership focuses on strengthening vital support functions such as finance, management, and leadership, which are essential to the effective operation of complex healthcare organisations.
The collaboration creates opportunities for students, academics, and NHS professionals to work together, broadening understanding across both sectors.
King’s Business School students and lecturers will gain insight into the realities of managing a large, innovative NHS organisation, while Trust staff will benefit from access to the Business School’s research, teaching and emerging thinking in management and leadership.
Leaders from both organisations say the partnership reflects a shared commitment to learning, collaboration and public value. The agreement was formally marked by the signing of a partnership proposal at King’s College Hospital in April 2026.
The agreement was signed by Professor Stephen Bach, Executive Dean of King’s Business School, and Roy Clarke, Chief Financial Officer at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
Both organisations said the partnership will evolve over time, expanding opportunities for shared learning and professional development.
As part of the initial phase, two King’s Business School students are currently undertaking 12‑month placements within the Trust’s Finance Directorate as Assistant Management Accountant Trainees.
The roles sit within core operational finance teams, giving students direct experience of:
- Financial planning and reporting
- Managing resources at scale
- Supporting decision‑making in a large NHS trust
The Trust said the placements place students at the heart of a complex organisation, offering real responsibility and exposure to the pressures and opportunities of NHS finance.
In recent months, the Trust’s Finance Directorate has also hosted Master’s‑level students from King’s Business School as part of a consultancy‑focused module.
Students supported work to better understand future drivers of the Trust’s financial position, applying academic theory to real‑world challenges such as forecasting, risk and strategic planning.
The experience provided practical problem‑solving skills while offering the Trust fresh perspectives and analytical insight.
The partnership supports the development of a future talent pipeline into the NHS, giving students early exposure to careers in healthcare management and finance.
Chief Financial Officer at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Roy Clarke, said:
“This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to developing future talent and supporting innovation across the health sector. The benefits are mutual, enabling our teams at King’s to stay up to date with the latest thinking and theory, with students undertaking placements with us boosting their understanding of day-to-day life in the NHS, and the challenges and opportunities this brings. We are excited about the potential of this partnership, and the shared opportunities for learning it provides.”
For King’s Business School, the collaboration strengthens teaching and research in public sector leadership, helping students understand how management decisions influence patient care and organisational performance.
As the partnership develops, future activity will include:
- Mentorship and reverse‑mentorship opportunities
- Joint seminars, workshops, and lectures
- Ongoing placements and project‑based learning
For students, the partnership offers a chance to apply academic knowledge in a real‑world setting, while contributing to purpose‑driven work with direct societal impact.
For the Trust, it provides access to highly skilled, motivated graduates who understand both technical finance skills and the organisational demands of working within the NHS.
Image credit: King’s College Hospital NHS FT
