The Aspiring Directors Development Programme is a successful programme of experiential learning opportunity for individuals who aspire to and have the potential to become Directors within 3 to 5 years.
It aims to identify and develop a highly talented pool of executive directors and clinical leaders that will fulfil our ambition to be “spoiled for choice” when appointing leaders of the future. The programme has been running in the Yorkshire and the Humber region for two years and has gained a positive reputation for leadership development.
Why are we running this programme?
Achieving world class standards in health and health services is at the heart of system reform in the public sector. Strong senior leadership is crucial in transforming healthcare systems through quality, innovation and productivity and delivering high standards.
Fostering leadership excellence in aspiring executive directors and clinical leaders is therefore an important part of the NHS Yorkshire and the Humber leadership development strategy.
What does the programme offer?
The programme is not a typical training programme, instead it is very much an experiential learning opportunity that requires participants to be proactive and drive their personal development while capitalising on a variety of high quality interventions over a 12 to 18 month period. The programme has been designed to complement existing local leadership and management development activities while providing opportunity for participants to gain Director level experience and time for reflection. Specific interventions include:
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participation in a well-designed, stretching 2 day development centre that simulates board level activity providing detailed feedback to inform development plans;
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facilitated action learning sets provide participants with structured time to reflect and discuss their learning and development within a supportive environment;
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access to stretch assignments provide genuine Director level work and exposure to the Board usually outside the substantive organisation within a different sector or organisational context;
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access to a series of master classes; and
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access to mentoring and coaching.
Who is the programme for?
The programme is designed for established managers and clinicians from all professional backgrounds in Yorkshire and the Humber who aspire to become executive directors or take up a senior clinical leadership role and have the potential to do so within 3-5 years.
We particularly welcome nominations from clinical staff and from people from BME backgrounds, since these groups are currently under- represented at the most senior levels in NHS organisations in Yorkshire and the Humber.
Access to the programme
Access to the programme is via Chief Executive supported nomination as part of local Talent Management arrangements. Nominees are taken through a rigorous selection process for one of the 30 annual places on the formal programme. Those who are not selected have access to some aspects of the programme such as mentoring, stretch assignments and master classes.
Nomination Criteria
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Nominee is committed to drive their own personal development.
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Aspires to become an Executive Director or Clinical Leader within 3-5years.
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Has the support of their CE, Director or PEC Chair to participate in the programme and the support of their immediate line manager.
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Currently manages or leads a clearly defined group (either a single professional group, a peer group or a geographical patch or department).
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Would be comfortable managing or leading a service, a function or leading a partnership approach to meet medium to long term objectives.
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The criteria outlined attempts to indicate the level at which a nominee should be working, flexibility should be applied particularly when considering nominees from clinical backgrounds or not directly employed by the NHS (eg GP’s)
Organisational Support
Participants should ensure they have the full commitment of their Chief Executive and substantive organisation and jointly ensure that internal arrangements are in place to support that commitment.
Organisations will be required to support the release of individuals to take part in the various elements of the programme (including stretch assignments) facilitated by appropriate succession planning to cover substantives role while developing other individuals within the organisation.
Additionally organisations will need to have alternative development plans for those nominees who are not selected to take part in the formal elements of the programme.
Further Information
The programme runs annually, usually commencing in December and January when Chief Executives are invited to submit nominations to the programme office.
For more information about the programme or an informal discussion please contact:
Kathryn Winterburn, OD Consultant - Tel: 0113 295 2180 email: Kathryn.winterburn@yorksandhumber.nhs.uk
