Conference | Benenden Health

Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2026

Our Annual General Meeting (AGM) is an important moment in the Benenden Health calendar. It's a chance for members to come together to look back on the past year, hear how the Society is doing, and take part in shaping what comes next.

As our formal meeting, the AGM is where members hear updates from the Board and leadership team and consider key items of Society business. Voting on these matters takes place through our Direct Member Voting (DMV) process, giving all members a clear and meaningful way to have their say.

Alongside the formal agenda, the AGM is also about staying connected with our members and making sure decision‑making remains open, transparent and firmly member‑led.

Direct Member Voting

How do I get involved?

We'll share everything you need to take part in this year's AGM as part of your Direct Member Voting (DMV) information. This is where you’ll find clear details on how to join, along with your voting information.

Most members choose to join the AGM online, and we’ve made this as easy as possible. Your DMV pack will include a link to join the livestream, as well as instructions for registering if you’d like to attend in person. This year, you’ll also be able to access the livestream through the Benenden Health app.

Our AGM takes place on Wednesday 24 June 2026 at 11:00am, in York. Whether you join online or in person, there are plenty of ways to get involved – from voting and watching live, to asking questions and taking part on the day.

Thanks for taking part

Our Annual Conference took place on Friday 20 June 2025. It brought together members and colleagues with a shared commitment to shaping the future of Benenden Health. Held at the Novotel London West and streamed online, the event welcomed members from across the UK to reflect on the past year and look ahead with purpose.

The results of this year's Direct Member Voting were announced during the event. You can read the results here (PDF, 1MB).

Whether you joined us live or are catching up now, we're pleased to share some highlights from the day.

What happened on the day

The day was full of presentations, key decisions, and strong member engagement — both in the room and online.

We began with a warm welcome from our Chair, David Furniss, who reflected on our recent achievements and how we continue to evolve for the benefit of our members. From there, we heard updates from our CEO, CFO, and Hospital director. Each offered insights into the past year and our plans for the future.

CEO Update: Tom Woolgrove

Tom, who joined Benenden Health as CEO in October 2024, shared his reflections on what makes our organisation truly special. Three things stood out to him:

Our proud and enduring heritage
Our not-for-profit model, run solely for the benefit of our members
The fantastic feedback we receive — including an impressive 8.7/10 member satisfaction score

CFO Update: Helen Chamberlain

Next, Helen took to the stage to share some key figures from 2024. One number in particular stood out:

180,451 — the number of times Benenden Health supported members last year.

It's a powerful reminder of the scale of our impact and our commitment to being there when it matters most.

Hospital Update: Claire Harley

We also heard from Claire Harley, Hospital Director at Benenden Hospital, our flagship facility. Claire shared exciting developments from the past year, including the launch of several new services.

A standout moment? Benenden Hospital became the first private hospital in the UK to introduce a loyalty scheme — a milestone we’re incredibly proud of.

Images from the 2025 conference

Shaping the Future Together

The day also included a series of important proposals aimed at strengthening how we operate as a modern mutual. These included:

A new Rulebook to simplify our processes, improve our flexibility and strengthen our member engagement
A proposal to support the creation of a new member forum
Key reports such as our Annual Report and Accounts and the Appointment of our Auditors

All proposals were approved — a clear step forward in making it easier for members to get involved and have their voices heard.

Thank You

Thank you for taking part in this year's Annual Conference by casting your votes. Your involvement helps shape the future of Benenden Health. Planning for next year’s event is already underway — and we hope to see you there!

Back to Have Your Say

The Board plays an important role in guiding Benenden Health's direction and making sure we're always acting in the best interests of our members.