It is hard to believe that I am approaching my first anniversary as Managing Director of KFM. Looking back, it's been a year of learning, listening, celebrating successes, and working with an incredible team of people who are passionate about supporting King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, our patients, and the wider NHS.

Over the past year, I have had the privilege of getting to know our business, our partners and, most importantly, our people. From visiting teams across our sites to hearing directly from colleagues through our Ask Me Anything sessions and staff engagement events, I have been continually inspired by the expertise, commitment and passion that exists throughout KFM.

When I joined the organisation, I was excited by the opportunity to combine two longstanding passions of mine: the NHS and the commercial world. KFM's subsidiary model is unique in its ability to bring these together, combining commercial expertise and innovation with NHS values to create real benefits for King's, the communities we serve and the wider NHS.

A year later, I am more convinced than ever of the important role KFM plays in delivering high-quality support services that enable outstanding patient care.

Building a Strategy for the Future

One of our most significant achievements this year has been the development of a new KFM Strategy, providing a clear vision for the future of the organisation.

Created with input from colleagues across the business, the strategy focuses on :

Growth and Value creation: Strategic Partnerships, Pharmacy, King’s and health care expansion.
KFM core functions: Procurement, Supply Chain, Technical and Property services
Supporting functions: Digital strategy, People, capability and culture.

And sets out how we will continue to deliver exceptional services, support our people, embrace innovation, and create sustainable value for King's and the NHS over the years ahead.

Celebrating 10 Years of KFM

This year was also a landmark moment for the organisation as we celebrated KFM's 10th anniversary.

Our staff engagement event in June provided an opportunity to reflect on a decade of achievement and recognise the contribution of colleagues past and present who have helped shape the organisation into what it is today.

The celebrations were made even more meaningful by the recent signing of our contract with King's, securing KFM's role in supporting the Trust for the next decade. This provides a strong platform for continued innovation, growth and partnership as we look towards the future.

Supporting Transformational Projects

Throughout the year, KFM teams have played an important role in supporting projects that are making a tangible difference to patients and staff.

Among these was the opening of the Endoscopy & Diagnostics Centre at the Princess Royal University Hospital, helping to increase capacity and improve access to vital diagnostic services.

We were also proud to support the opening of King's Critical Care Roof Garden, the first facility of its kind in the UK. The garden enables critically ill patients to continue receiving full medical support while benefiting from fresh air, natural light and therapeutic green space, creating a unique environment that supports recovery and wellbeing.

Recognition for Innovation and Collaboration

I am incredibly proud that the work of our teams has also been recognised externally.

This year, KFM was Highly Commended at the HCSA Awards and shortlisted for both the GO Awards Collaborative Procurement Initiative Award and the CIPS Public Procurement Project of the Year Award.

These achievements reflect the innovation, collaboration and dedication demonstrated by colleagues across the organisation every day.

Contributing to National Conversations

I have also been privileged to represent KFM on national platforms, including speaking engagements at Innovation 2026 and Procurex England.

These events provided valuable opportunities to contribute to important conversations about healthcare, procurement, public sector innovation, and the role commercial organisations can play in delivering better outcomes across the NHS.

Procurement remains a particular passion of mine, and I have been privileged to support the profession as a judge for the GO Awards 2026 and as a trainer on the NHS England Procurement Learning Platform, helping to support the continued development of procurement professionals across the NHS.

Looking Ahead

While I am proud of everything we have achieved over the past year, what stands out most is the incredible team behind it all.

Thank you to everyone who has welcomed me, challenged me, shared ideas, and helped shape our journey over the past 12 months. We have achieved a great deal together, but I firmly believe the best is yet to come.

As we begin our next decade in partnership with King's, we remain committed to supporting world-class patient care through innovative, cost-effective healthcare support services that deliver real value for patients, staff and our communities. I am excited about what comes next and the opportunities we have to continue making a difference together.

Preeya Bailie
Managing Director, KFM