The Language of Change: Why NHS Finance Must Move Closer to the Front Line
January 29, 2026
In this engaging episode, Liz Jones and Darren Kilroy are joined by Nicci Briggs, a seasoned NHS finance leader with nearly ten years as a CFO and fifteen years in the NHS.
Welcome to The Connection: Where Tech Meets Humanity in Healthcare podcast, brought to you by RLDatix.
Nicci shares her unconventional career journey from lifeguard and chicken factory worker to leading finance transformation across the NHS. She discusses how Dragons' Den events sparked innovation, why finance professionals must speak a language everyone understands, and how optimism and patient-focused leadership can drive meaningful change in healthcare.
👉 At RLDatix, we understand that health and care is a complex landscape where technology must work hand-in-hand with human expertise. In our podcast, we explore how our commitment to safety and operational efficiency can improve the daily experiences of health and care professionals whilst keeping patient safety at the core of everything we do. 🎉
To find out more, visit rldatix.com 🏥
In this inspiring episode, Liz Jones and Darren Kilroy sit down with Nicci Briggs, a dynamic NHS finance leader whose career spans nearly ten years as a Chief Financial Officer and fifteen years across the NHS.
Welcome to The Connection: Where Tech Meets Humanity in Healthcare podcast, brought to you by RLDatix.
Nicci's remarkable journey encompasses early roles as a lifeguard and chicken factory worker, a mathematics degree with a focus on cryptography, and transformative work across local government, police services, and the private sector before finding her calling in NHS finance.
What You'll Learn:
- How Nicci’s early career shaped how she approaches leadership and productivity
- Why defining the problem matters more than jumping to solutions
- How Dragons’ Den events empowered staff to lead change
- How a locally designed GP funding change helped address health inequality in Leicester
- Why engaging clinicians in financial conversations improves outcomes
- How the role of NHS finance is changing with AI and automation
- Why optimism and staff experience sit at the heart of good leadership
Nicci Briggs is currently working in a senior finance role at NHS England, bringing her wealth of experience from acute hospitals, integrated care boards, and transformation projects. As the granddaughter of miners from South Yorkshire, she's driven by the value of education and the power of public service to change lives.
👉 At RLDatix, we understand that health and care is a complex landscape where technology must work hand-in-hand with human expertise. In our podcast, we explore how our commitment to safety and operational efficiency can improve the daily experiences of health and care professionals whilst keeping patient safety at the core of everything we do. 🎉
To find out more, visit rldatix.com 🏥
Episode Resources
- Nicci Briggs on LinkedIn
- NHS England Website
- Liz Jones on Linkedin
- Darren Kilroy on LinkedIn
- RLDatix Website
The Connection: Where Tech Meets Humanity in Healthcare is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so