The NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) launched its first dedicated senior leadership training programme on 28 February.
Fourteen senior leaders affiliated to the BRC attended the first workshop on the topic Senior Leadership Practices. Those attending came from a diverse range of fields across the University of Oxford and Oxford University Hospitals (OUH) NHS Foundation Trust.
The programme was established by the BRC’s Chief Operating Officer Dr Vasiliki Kiparoglou and Senior Manager Dr Lorna Henderson, who identified a training gap and established the training course to increase leadership capacity across the partnership.
Dr Henderson said: “We recently ran a survey of training and education needs for BRC affiliates and leadership training was the highest priority. We are delighted to have set up this new programme to build capacity and provide bespoke training to support senior leaders across the BRC partnership. As we emerge from the COVID 19 pandemic, leadership skills and training are vital to support capacity building and leadership in the BRC.”
Describing the workshop as “awesome”, one of the delegates, OUH Microbiology Consultant Dr Monique Andersson, said it was “a time to be challenged, reflect and have fun with a richly diverse group of colleagues. I come away inspired and more thoughtful about how I can influence as a leader.”
During the workshop, discussions were held around the challenges of leadership in the climate of COVID-19, as well as the importance of leadership and culture.
Delegates also highlighted the need for bespoke resources to support their leadership journey and this will be fed back to senior leaders at the University of Oxford and OUH, given that the BRC embodies a unique partnership the two organisations.
The programme consists of five one-day sessions between February and May and topics include advanced leadership skills, healthcare innovation and commercialisation, entrepreneurship and innovation, strategy in the healthcare sector, leading change and inclusive leadership. Participants will also have the opportunity to receive coaching.
Speakers include Richard Canter Visiting Professor of Surgical Education in the University of Oxford’s Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences; Dr Paul Ashley, Director of Data Science External Innovation at Johnson & Johnson; Dr Tony Berendt former OUH Medical Director and Leadership Development Consultant; and Adrienne Hopkins, Head of the Equality and Diversity Team at the University of Oxford.