The Challenge
The NHS Leadership Academy delivers large-scale leadership programmes in a complex and constantly evolving healthcare environment. With demand for compassionate, inclusive and effective leadership at all levels, the challenge was to design and deliver development that was scalable, practical, and evidenced for impact.
Our Approach
Over the last decade, JAM People Consulting has contributed to several strands of the Academy’s work, including:
- Frontline Programme (for nurses and midwives) – As associate faculty (with Korn Ferry, formerly Hay Group), we facilitated workshops and supported participants in blending online and in-person learning. We also led a major impact evaluation, analysing thousands of participant stories to demonstrate outcomes for compassionate care, confidence and leadership capability .
- Mary Seacole Programme (for first-time leaders) – In partnership with Hay Group/Korn Ferry, we acted as faculty, supporting learning cohorts and hybrid delivery. Later, we contributed to a content refresh of the virtual campus and workshops, embedding inclusive leadership and evidence-based practice .
- Research & Evaluation – We independently led a review of the NHS Career Resources Portal, assessing accessibility, functionality and user experience to inform procurement and design decisions .
- Bespoke Leadership Support – Alongside national programmes, we have provided coaching and psychometric assessment for NHS leaders at senior and frontline levels.
The Impact
- Enabled scalable development for thousands of NHS leaders, while protecting time for frontline care.
- Produced robust evaluation evidence, giving the Academy clear insight into programme outcomes and areas for improvement.
- Strengthened the design of digital and blended learning, making leadership development more flexible and inclusive.
- Supported individual leaders to build confidence, capability, and compassion in their day-to-day practice.
Why it Matters
Effective leadership is essential in healthcare. Through facilitation, research and evaluation, JAM People Consulting has supported the NHS Leadership Academy to deliver development that is scalable, evidence-based and impactful — helping leaders meet the demands of today while preparing for the challenges of tomorrow.