Membership – North West Leadership Academy

The NHS North West Leadership Academy (NHS NWLA) believes that great leadership improves care, culture, and communities.

Our unique paid membership gives organisations access to national and regional leadership support, including expert advice, tailored development, and a learning community across the region.

Membership benefits

NHS NWLA membership is a strategic investment in people, organisations, and the future of the NHS. The memberships directly fund and enable a comprehensive portfolio of leadership development offers, from emerging leaders to experienced executives.

Professional Expertise

Trusted, strategic support delivered by our team and tailored to an organisation’s leadership needs:

Bespoke support and commissioning for tailored, impactful development planning.

Trusted advisory services to navigate complex leadership challenges.

Collaborative partnership working that brings together expertise and funding to deliver leadership development opportunities well beyond the sum of their parts.

Delivery of national and regional priorities ensuring the realisation of key NHS objectives such as the 10 Year Plan and Management and Leadership Framework through local support and engagement.

Executive and Board Development

Proven effective development opportunities to support the region’s most senior leaders:

Board development through bespoke planning and expert facilitation.

Executive coaching delivering proven effective 1 on 1 leadership development to the region’s most senior leaders.

Senior leader 1 to 1 support, for targeted development planning and expert advice.

CEO, NED & Aspirant CEO networks, to connect and collaborate.

The Deputy and Aspiring Director Development Offer, readying the next generation of executives for the challenges and opportunities of NHS leadership.

Media Skills, preparing NHS leaders to represent themselves and their organisation to the media in high-pressure situations.

Navigating Leadership Events, large-scale development opportunities for senior leaders on key issues facing leaders in the North West region, identified through consultation.

Leadership for All

Developing leadership at every level with inclusive, high-quality opportunities:

Mary Seacole Local programme, nationally recognised, locally delivered.

Collaborative Masterclasses, working with public sector partners to provide cross-sector virtual sessions on topics that are important to the region.

Festival of Leadership, an exclusive North West senior leader conference.

Development Workshops, online development opportunities, focus on supporting leaders to develop specific skills and knowledge

Leadership Learning Zone, flexible, on-demand digital learning.

Leadership self-assessment, including HLM, Healthy Leadership Framework and Systems Leadership Framework.

Leadership resources are published regularly and are based on learning from our leadership programmes.

Coaching and Mentoring

Empowering development through meaningful connections and ongoing development:

Access to the Coaching and Mentoring Hub, which provides high-quality matching for coaching and mentoring across the region.

Mentor Development Programme, creating effective mentors in the region.

Supervision for coaches to support coaching quality in the region and professional growth.

CPD and learning events to deepen coaching and mentoring knowledge and practice.

Networked learning opportunities to share experience and grow capability.

Join a community of forward-thinking organisations

NHS North West Leadership Academy members are part of a dynamic community of organisations committed to creating inclusive, innovative and collaborative leaders who are building healthier communities.

The NHS North West Leadership Academy has a well-documented history of providing membership satisfaction and organisational impact.

“Leadership has a huge role to play in delivering all three of our ambitions, and at Pennine Care, we want to develop our leaders so they can effectively support their colleagues to deliver high-quality services. We want our leaders to listen, engage and involve our people to bring about change.“

“The way the NHS North West Leadership Academy engages with organisations is really valuable. We’ve recently had a visit from Francis, the new Head of the NHS North West Leadership Academy, and that was really valuable. Small OD teams like ours benefit hugely from the external expertise they provide.“

“The bespoke way of working has been invaluable. Suzanne has a wealth of experience, and her guidance has helped us structure our leadership development priorities effectively.”

Nicky Littler, Director of Workforce, Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust

Empowering Leadership in Workforce Development with Nicola Littler, Director of Workforce, Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust

As Director of Workforce at Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, Nicky has played a pivotal role in shaping workforce strategy, leadership development, and employee engagement within the organisation. Her journey demonstrates how a thoughtful, people-first approach to workforce development can transform not just teams, but entire organisations. Through strong partnerships like the one with the NHS North West Leadership Academy, Pennine Care is not only investing in its current leaders but also paving the way for future talents.

Click here to read the full case study…

2 Years in the Making: Building Relationships Between the NHS North West Leadership Academy and Two Manchester Trusts

Teresa Hopley, the Head of Talent, Leadership and Organisational Development Consultancy (TLODC) at Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care Foundation Trust and Stockport Foundation Trust, has dedicated her career to fostering a culture of compassionate leadership within the NHS. As she approaches retirement, she reflects on her journey, the challenges of leading in a dual-trust environment, and the invaluable role of the NHS North West Leadership Academy in supporting leadership development.

Click here to read the full case study…

Become a member

Organisations interested in becoming an NHS North West Leadership Academy member should contact their local senior system lead.