New governance improvement tools for NHS boards aspiring to AFT status
16 January 2026
Today GGi publishes a new NHS director competencies board assurance prompt (BAP) and maturity matrix to help NHS trust boards strengthen governance and leadership ahead of the emerging Advanced Foundation Trust (AFT) programme.
This update refreshes GGi’s original 2015 director competencies matrix, recognising how significantly expectations of NHS boards have evolved in the past decade.
The new tools reflect the realities of system working under the Health and Care Act 2022, alongside updated regulatory and leadership expectations, including the Fit and Proper Person Test framework, the refreshed Well-led framework, and NHS England’s board member competency guidance.
AFT authorisation is expected to reward high-performing trusts with greater autonomy, enhanced financial freedoms and increased flexibility to innovate through system collaboration.
The new maturity matrix is designed as a practical development tool for boards preparing for this step-change, enabling them to identify strengths, diagnose gaps, and map clear pathways to progression across critical domains such as systems working fluency, ethical and moral leadership, Freedom to Speak Up culture, and legal and regulatory compliance.
Boards aspiring to AFT status can use the matrix for structured self-assessment, development planning, and to build evidence of board maturity and readiness.
We particularly welcome feedback and suggestions for further refinements to these tools; we will be hosting a round table event in February to gather comments.
Please contact us if you have feedback or would like to be involved contact@good-governance.org.uk.
Click below to download the new BAP and maturity matrix.
