The organising committee for the 2026 HEFMA National Leadership Forum is delighted to announce Figen Murray OBE will open the event, with a Keynote that will motivate and inspire, setting the scene and underpinning the tone for the two-day programme.
Figen is a counter-terrorism expert, but she is also a mother. Her son, Martyn Hett, was one of the 22 innocent victims who tragically lost their lives in the Manchester Arena bombings. As the initiator and driving force behind the campaign to introduce the counter-terrorism legislation, known as Marytn’s Law, to the UK, Figen has transformed her grief into a powerful movement for change. Her tireless campaigning has led to cross-party and widespread business and public support to introduce measures to better protect public venues from the potential impact of a terrorist attack.
Martyn’s Law & the NHS estate
Ensuring their buildings and estate are compliant with Martyn’s Law is one of the significant tasks that NHS Estates & Facilities teams will need to tackle over the next 18 months. The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 was passed in April. Full compliance assessments and enforcement are scheduled to begin in April 2027. All healthcare premises will need to comply with the legislation, with many NHS facilities falling into the enhanced duty tier for sites where 800 or more people may be present, which means additional requirements will apply.
Educating for change
Beyond her legislative efforts, Figen is active in educational initiatives, speaking to communities and organisations about counter-terrorism, resilience and the human impact of such attacks. Her heartfelt advocacy continues to inspire change and underscores the importance of proactive measures to safeguard public spaces. Figen has turned a personal tragedy into a mission that benefits society as a whole.
Delivering Estates & Facilities Services: FIT FOR THE FUTURE
The theme for the 2026 HEFMA National Leadership Forum places the focus firmly on the future, and ensuring the safety of patients, staff and visitors whilst they are using NHS facilities is a fundamental requirement. HEFMA has already confirmed that experienced broadcaster Rachel McTavish will return to host the 2026 event.
