It is widely accepted that the UK is less productive than its major competitors – France, Germany and the US – in many sectors and it is argued that one way of overcoming the productivity gap is by promoting greater levels of innovation in the UK. And although data suggests that the UK’s science base is excellent, we often fail to capitalise on the knowledge we create and in so doing fail to develop high value products and services that can compete in the global economy.

Addressing these issues requires us to examine a host of subjects – investment, skills, institutional structures and regimes, as well as the crucial question of organisational management and leadership. What does leadership in the context of innovation mean? Is there such a thing as inspirational leadership for innovation? What do we know about leadership? How does leadership affect organisational context? What sort of organisational contexts are necessary to generate innovation?

To address this problem, NHS Innovations South West, in partnership with Pera, have developed a completely new 'innovation and intellectual property exploitation’ service model.

This differs from other models within the NHS on the basis that it focuses on embedding knowledge and skills in key individuals working within the NHS Trusts, who will manage and lead the innovation process on a local basis.

The Trust Innovation Leadership programme was created as the key enabler for this new initiative and the core objectives of the programme focused on the development of professionally trained and accredited Trust Based Innovation Leaders (TILS) who were capable of:

·         driving innovation within their Trusts

·         stimulating a positive culture for change

·         managing the innovation process on a local level

·         realising the innovative potential that exists within the South West NHS

The specification for the course came from NHS Innovations SW. It was then designed, developed and delivered by Pera who have over 20 years of experience in this field. During the design phase of the programme, Pera worked closely with the Chartered Management Institute to investigate the potential of creating a professional award for innovation. The subject matter and intensity of the programme was considered to be of a sufficient level to warrant an award at a comparable level to the Institutes' ‘Diploma in Management.' And the result was the creation of the 'Diploma in Innovation and Change Management '.

The programme explores the fine balance between the people and process elements of innovation and looks specifically at the cultural development that is required to ensure the sustainability of the innovation activity. It is made up of eight core units including practical skills for innovation leadership, developing the culture for innovation and the innovation process from ideas generation to commercialisation.

“Organisations need to create an environment where change and innovation can be managed in a positive and productive way,” says Jo Causon, Director of Marketing and Corporate Affairs for the Chartered Management Institute.  “In today’s environment, where change management has a direct impact on business success, the Diploma provides an opportunity for managers to bring creative ideas to commercial reality.”

NHS Innovations South West has successfully completed ITS pilot of the programme, which has been so successful that over 100 different innovation projects have been progressed across the Trusts involved.  These schemes will exploit the intellectual property hidden within the NHS with the aim of significantly improving patient care. 

“The NHS thrives on innovation but until now, it has not had a process, or the capabilities by which to bring out the best and most creative ideas and put them into practice,” says Maria Hassard, CEO for NISW.  “The new Diploma equips ourTHE TILs with the skills and knowledge to advise individual’s on how to progress their ideas from legal guidance to financing.”