Commissioned leadership programmes - recent contracts

Contract awarded: January 2009

We have been commissioned by NHS London to design, manage and deliver a comprehensive leadership development programme for four cohorts of aspiring nurse directors. The programme will provide senior nurses (deputy directors, assistant directors, nurse consultants, ‘rising stars’) with the skills to progress from their current role into a corporate role as a director of nursing.

The programme will give participants the opportunity to meet inspiring leaders both within and outside the NHS and encourage them to reflect on the ‘type’ of director they want to be in the future. The programme will involve practical exercises and toolkits; to help participants develop essential skills, and will encourage peer group challenge and discussion as a way of learning.

Year one of the programme involves two cohorts of 15 participants starting in March 2009 and two cohorts of 15 participants starting in September 2009.

Contract awarded: October 2008

As part of a consortium headed by Ernst & Young, The King’s Fund has been commissioned to provide diagnostic and development support to Barking & Dagenham PCT. 

Our approach to PCT board development is distinctive in giving attention to the integration of all board activities in relentless pursuit of improved organisation performance and outcomes for patients and service users. In reality, this may not just be about doing more, but also about critically appraising  current efforts and activities to ensure that the board’s work is fully aligned to the organisation’s strategy, leadership and culture. We work with boards with ‘ruthless compassion’, ensuring that they attend to the fundamental building blocks of effective performance and leadership development.

At the same time, we help boards understand more deeply what it means to lead within a complex system and to engage more effectively with their stakeholders and service users across the organisation and beyond its boundaries. Thus, their development both supports and sustains improvements in their wider relationships, creating a virtuous circle of ‘whole system’ development.

Contract awarded: January 2008

We have been commissioned by the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement to run a programme to recruit and develop talented senior managers from a variety of sectors to join the NHS in senior leadership positions. The programme provides participants with a fast-track introduction to the NHS and key health care issues and gives them a tool kit of key skills. The content reflects current, emerging and topical issues and provides potential leaders with a strong network to begin to establish themselves in the NHS. 

Contract awarded: January 2008

We have been re-commissioned by the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement to provide a programme to increase the diversity of the NHS workforce at director and chief executive level. In particular, the programme seeks to equip participants with the self-belief, personal impact and political and emotional awareness necessary for them to operate as ‘transformational leaders’ within their organisations, able to empower themselves and others to maximise their potential.

Contract awarded: November 2007

We have been commissioned by East of England Strategic Health Authority (SHA) to identify, develop and support aspiring chief executives to help them achieve world-class standards in health and health care. Our programme uses an innovative approach to stretch and challenge high-performing individuals to excel and push the boundaries of their potential.

Contract awarded: December 2007

We are working in partnership with NHS North West Academy to help small groups of aspiring directors to develop their capacity and capability to operate at a senior level in the NHS. Throughout 2008 and 2009, we will provide a range of development interventions that will stretch their knowledge and skills, create and test new experiences and challenge behaviours.