Learning in action “The festival was truly inspirational. I’m leaving with a lot to reflect on, which is the best outcome from the day!” Afternoon sessions featured interactive workshops on systems thinking and organisational design, where participants explored models, strategic structures, and practical ways to drive change in their organisations. Organisational Design (OD) has become a critical focus in today’s evolving workplace. Far more than structure charts, OD begins with a bold, shared vision, followed by a deep diagnosis of the current state, and culminates in co-designed delivery models that reflect organisational values. Leaders explored how OD can unlock performance, empower teams, and deliver meaningful, sustainable outcomes from vision through to implementation. In Systems Thinking and the Inner Game of Leadership, participants looked beyond traditional models to navigate today’s volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) healthcare environment. Blending personal reflection with systemic insight, the workshop offered a fresh perspective on what it means to lead in a living, breathing health and care system. The North West NED Network also convened during the afternoon. Reimagining leadership for a kinder future
2025 festival of leadership
“I was thankful to attend, to connect with so many fantastic health and care leaders. We have so much to learn from each other, inspire and support. Thanks for the opportunity to join!”
This year’s Festival of Leadership 2025 has been celebrated as an inspirational and thought- provoking day bringing together over 100 senior leaders from across the North West health and care system. Hosted by the NHS North West Leadership Academy on 7 October, the annual event marked a pivotal moment in the region’s leadership journey uniting executives, board members, and aspiring directors to connect, reflect, and reimagine the future of leadership. Silas Nicholls opened with reflections on the region’s achievements, followed by Frances Dodd’s unveiling of the NHS NWLA’s refreshed vision and membership offer, signalling a renewed commitment to inclusive, system-wide leadership development. A networking session invited attendees to explore what makes leadership in the North West unique, surfacing shared values, regional strengths, and uniting challenges that set the tone for a collaborative and energising panel session. Panel highlights: Shaping the future of NHS leadership A dynamic panel of voices from across the region, Andy Knox, GP and Medical Director at Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board; Ayo Barley, Director of the North West BAME Assembly; Nikhil Khashu, Chief Executive Officer at Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals and Bridgewater
Closing reflections on leadership Panel members were asked for their key takeaway for leaders supporting the 10 Year Plan and shaping the future of North West leadership. Their responses called for courage, care, and a renewed focus on purpose.
positions that make us uncomfortable, hear robust challenges and work out together how we change that with them.” He spoke of the need for leaders to unlearn traditional ways of working to become more place-based. Nikhil Khashu highlighted the importance of purpose: “As CEO I make it a ‘must do’ to read every patient complaint or complement we receive. It motivates me and my team to come together and find solutions that make a real difference. I encourage you to read patient feedback alongside the organisation’s responses – it’s a powerful way to understand your authentic culture and see how you drive continuous improvement.” His words showed how shared commitment can turn challenge into purpose. Manisha Kumar cautioned that Boards risk becoming disconnected from the communities they serve, calling for renewed focus: “The magic happens because of the culture of a Board, when they’re welcoming of challenge and are brave enough to hear community stories.” She urged Boards to return to their core purpose and deliver on their responsibilities. Tom Kark reinforced this, highlighting the critical role of information: “You can easily disempower a Non-Executive Director whose job it is to challenge and, to some extent provide the patient voice, with a lack of information.” Together, they emphasised embedding the patient voice in leadership conversations, making it central to decision- making and accountability.
Community Healthcare; Tom Kark KC, and author of A Review of the Fit and Proper Person Test; Gill Rooke, Deputy Director of the Leadership & Management Centre of Excellence at NHS England; and Manisha Kumar, Chief Medical Officer at NHS Greater Manchester, explored how leadership and management is evolving and how it can become more purposeful, inclusive, and future ready. Gill Rooke championed the value of leadership and management development and the need to recognise the vital contributions of leaders and managers. She emphasised that “leadership and management should be built into education from the get-go,” highlighting the importance of nurturing these skills and behaviours early. Gill also challenged the status quo: “ask who is missing around the table,” noting that meaningful change is impossible if the same voices dominate. Ayo Barley spoke about humility and inclusion, stressing the importance of cultural humility and authenticity in leadership. Addressing power imbalances, Ayo shared: “When we involve people who historically haven’t been a part of our conversations, in the conversation, it can be difficult to build trust if we don’t empower those individuals.” She underscored that great leadership must reflect and serve the diversity of the region. Andy Knox reflected on the proximity of leaders to frontline work: “I try to spend a fifth of my week out in frontline communities. We’ve got to put ourselves in
GILL “Be proud of leadership and management as a profession.”
AYO “Don’t underestimate the power of social proof.” By asking the hard questions about equity and justice, you can spark a ripple effect-the kind of cultural change we all want to see. NIKHIL “It’s now the 9 and a half year plan.” What are you doing to develop the next generation of leaders? Because it won’t be today’s decision-makers who finish the plan-it’ll be those we invest in now.
Our biggest asset is our workforce. It’s our responsibility to care for them- because if we don’t, they won’t be equipped to care for patients.
“An inspiring and thought-provoking day.”
TOM “It’s your reaction that matters.”
This year’s keynote came from Tim Keogh, whose mission is as simple as it is transformative: to spread kindness. He believes that when we lead with compassion, people become more engaged, creative, and productive — and the research supports it. Kindness, he argued, isn’t just a feel-good notion but a strategic force for building thriving, resilient organisations. Drawing on his experience leading NHS organisations, Tim emphasised the power of empathy, kindness, and trust in shaping healthier cultures and systems: “studies show that if you are kind to someone, this causes a ripple effect, they will be kind to four more people.” A collection of session resources, including presentation slides, is available on our website. Be the first to hear about plans for the 2026 Festival of Leadership by signing up online .
In a complex system like the NHS, things will go wrong. Don’t hide from failure, embrace it. Learn from it. Grow from it.
ANDY “Who you are and how you show up matters.” Have the humility to know you’re not perfect. Be inclusive. Be kind. Be nurturing. Take your appraisal seriously. Together, we can shape a leadership culture across the North West that we’re proud of.
MANISHA “We are privileged to be in our positions.”
In every room you enter, ask yourself: Am I actively making a difference? Take the leap. If you want leadership to look different, put yourself forward. Be bold enough to challenge the status quo.
nw.leadershipacademy.nhs.uk | Leader
Leader | nw.leadershipacademy.nhs.uk
6
7
Made with FlippingBook - PDF hosting