King’s Fund

King’s Fund
Name	King’s Fund
Founded	1897
Headquarters	London
Type	Charity
Purpose	Health policy, research, leadership development
Region served	United Kingdom

King’s Fund The King’s Fund is an independent charitable organisation based in London that works on health and social care policy, service improvement, leadership development and research. It engages with the National Health Service, local authorities, professional bodies, patient groups and academic institutions to influence policy and practice across England. The organisation convenes events, publishes analysis, delivers leadership programmes and operates a conference centre in central London.

History

Founded in 1897 during a period of social reform, the organisation emerged amid debates involving figures associated with Joseph Chamberlain, Benjamin Disraeli, the Liberal Party and civic philanthropists active in late Victorian London. Early work intersected with campaigns linked to Seebohm Rowntree, Charles Booth, Royal Commission on the Poor Laws and municipal initiatives in London County Council. During the early 20th century the organisation interacted with public health reforms related to Edwardian councils, the aftermath of the First World War, and the development of welfare policy influenced by the Beveridge Report. In the mid-20th century it engaged with debates surrounding the creation of the National Health Service and postwar planning associated with figures connected to Clement Attlee and the Labour Party. Later decades saw involvement in discussions touching on policy frameworks initiated under governments led by Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair, including reforms influenced by reports from entities like the House of Commons Health Committee and inquiries following major health crises such as those examined after incidents involving Bristol Royal Infirmary and national reviews related to patient safety. Throughout its history the organisation has worked with universities such as University College London, London School of Economics, King's College London and with professional bodies including Royal College of Physicians, Royal College of Nursing and General Medical Council.

Mission and Activities

The organisation's mission encompasses health system improvement, leadership development and evidence synthesis, aligning work with priorities of bodies like Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England, NHS Confederation and Care Quality Commission. Activities include convening policy forums involving stakeholders such as British Medical Association, Health Foundation, Nuffield Trust, Institute for Fiscal Studies, and service providers including NHS Trusts and Clinical Commissioning Group successors. It provides consultancy to local authorities including Greater London Authority and social care partners such as Association of Directors of Adult Social Services. Programmes often reference frameworks from international organisations like the World Health Organization and draw on comparative work involving systems such as those in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, United States, Germany and Canada.

Research and Publications

The organisation produces reports, briefings and data tools used by policymakers, clinicians and managers. Publications have examined topics referenced by committees such as the Public Accounts Committee and analytical bodies including Office for National Statistics. Research spans workforce issues involving senior NHS leaders, finance and commissioning debates implicated in legislation like the Health and Social Care Act 2012, integrated care arrangements akin to Sustainability and Transformation Plans, and outcomes assessed in contexts such as Care Quality Commission inspections. Collaborations have included academic partners like Imperial College London, University of Oxford, University of Cambridge and policy institutes such as Centre for Policy Studies, Resolution Foundation and Institute for Public Policy Research. Its evidence syntheses are cited in inquiries and reviews led by commissioners drawing on panels similar to those convened by King’s Fund peers within the Parliamentary Select Committee system.

Policy Influence and Advocacy

Through briefings, events and testimonies the organisation informs debates in venues including Westminster Hall, House of Commons, House of Lords and at conferences attended by officials from NHS Improvement, NHS Providers and international delegates from Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Its advocacy engages with regulators and professional bodies including Care Quality Commission, General Pharmaceutical Council and Health Education England. The organisation interfaces with ministerial teams in the Department of Health and Social Care and contributes evidence used by parliamentary inquiries, judicial reviews and stakeholder coalitions that include patient charities such as Macmillan Cancer Support, British Heart Foundation and Age UK.

Education and Training

The organisation runs leadership and management programmes drawing on curricula used by institutions such as Harvard Medical School for comparative leadership development, and partners with UK universities including City, University of London and University of Manchester for continuing professional development. Courses are aimed at executives from NHS Trusts, directors from local authorities, clinical leaders from specialties represented by Royal College of Surgeons of England, Royal College of Psychiatrists and Faculty of Public Health. Training formats include residential programmes at its London venue and online modules comparable to those offered by professional bodies and executive education units at London Business School.

Organisation and Governance

The organisation is governed by a board of trustees and senior leadership including directors with backgrounds in public policy, clinical practice and academic research. Its governance intersects with charity regulation overseen by entities such as the Charity Commission for England and Wales and financial reporting standards relevant to entities interacting with HM Treasury and auditors with links to firms like PwC and KPMG. It manages partnerships with health providers, universities and third-sector organisations including NHS Confederation members, local government networks and voluntary sector alliances.

Category:Health think tanks