Central and North West London (CNWL) NHS Foundation Trust has been shortlisted for the Passionate about OD Award at the Healthcare People Management Associations (HPMA) Excellence in People Awards 2026, for their 21 Century Leadership Programme (21CLP)!

The HPMA national awards celebrate and recognise the important work of the healthcare people profession across the UK.  

CNWL’s 21CLP programme launched in 2022 in direct response to feedback from staff. Designed and delivered in-house, the programme reflects the Trust's commitment to developing courageous, compassionate and diverse leadership that reflects their workforce and communities.

The programme has received highly positive feedback from participants. 97% state that 21CLP has equipped them to lead effectively within CNWL, while 94% feel more confident acting as compassionate leaders thanks to the programme. One graduate described it as “one of the best leadership programmes I have ever taken part in” showing its popularity and impact across the Trust.  

The shortlisted nomination recognises 21CLP’s demonstrable impact with almost 600 colleagues having been through programme. Evaluation by Brunel University confirms significant improvement in a number of leadership domains and highlights the positive cultural impact across CNWL. This has been reflected in improved staff survey results, reduced turnover and improved operational and care outcomes correlating with involvement in the programme.

Participant-led workplace improvement projects fed into the shortlist nomination and the programme demonstrates how learning can translate into real, service transformation. Examples highlighted were:

• Putting service users at the heart of our Eating Disorders transformation
• Co-producing Stigma Deconstruction within Addictions
• Co-production of Speech and Language Therapy Outcomes with Children and Young People

Ellie Wharton, Head of Culture and Leadership Development, says:

“We are incredibly proud of our 21 Century Leadership Programme. To be shortlisted for the HPMA Awards is a wonderful recognition of the programme and the collective effort behind it. It marks an important milestone as we see the impact of our investment in leadership translating into tangible organisational outcomes. Thank you to our brilliant programme team, everyone who has contributed to its success, and our outstanding graduates, who continue to bring the programme’s purpose to life every day.”

Congratulations to everyone involved! The team will be heading to Bristol for the award ceremony in November. We wish them the best of luck.