“This programme represents exactly the kind of leadership development Wales needs. By equipping our public service leaders with the skills to think long-term, work collaboratively across boundaries, and put citizens at the heart of service design, we're building the foundation for public services that truly deliver for current and future generations of Wales."
Our programme helps leaders to better understand how digital can support their organisation’s core priorities, deliver better services for citizens, make efficiency savings for their organisation and provide better value for money for the public purse. 26 leaders have already graduated from the programme from the following organisations.
What impact has it had?
Measuring the impact of a programme like this will take time as participants go back to their organisations to influence change.
Rebecca Evans, the Cabinet Secretary with responsibility for digital reiterated the importance of their ambassadorial role in a video message to graduates:
“As leaders, I want us to collectively see that digital isn't just something that's nice to do, it's vital in solving problems in a more efficient way now and for our future generations. The Digital Strategy for Wales articulates how our approach is based on collaboration, iteration and user centred design. It puts people at the heart of all that we do.
It's the only way that we can create high quality public services that people choose to use. I challenge you to take an active role in applying your skills within your organisations.
Bring what you've learned back to your teams and share it widely. Champion the Digital Service Standards for Wales, advocate for digital transformation,
foster innovation and create a culture of learning and growth that benefits everyone.
Use the networks that you've built on the programme to stay connected and to support one another with the challenges and the successes that you'll face together.”
Let’s hear from some of the participants
‘I feel like I've benefited because I've been able to meet with a lot of like-minded individuals who have an interest in developing our public services.
My organisation is looking at developing and implementing our own digital health records so, after being on this programme, I really want to get involved and put the skills I've learned to good use.”
Athena Jones, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
My biggest takeaway – how the connections I’m making will really benefit me and our organisations. We’re looking at a new tax over the next few years which will involve working with local authorities. It’s great to have a sense that I know people I can speak to, that's really exciting.”
Joseph Lewis Reid, Welsh Revenue Authority
“I wanted to share a win which demonstrates the tangible impact that Leading Modern Public Services is already having in my world....
I want teams to be thinking more deeply about the wider needs of Welsh users and encouraging more user research with Welsh speakers.
After engaging with the programme, I felt able to better articulate and advocate for the needs of Welsh users and sell the benefits of things like trio writing.
Ceri Wilcock, The Open University
"It really allowed me to step back and then start to think about my impact... particularly in terms of things like digital inclusion. One of the things that I'm now doing more is asking more open questions like, ‘What are we missing? How do we get more voices into our conversations?”
"I'm now leading a service owners Community of Practice... and understand how we take all of our products and services and visualise them as end-to-end, coherent services to make our services more accessible and more user friendly."
What next?
We will be running several Alumni events this year to provide a dedicated space for these leaders to build on the connections they’ve made and to continue to share and learn together.
We’ve fully booked for the September cohort in South Wales, but expressions of interest are being taken for future intakes.
The continued growth demonstrates the programme's value in developing forward-thinking leadership across the Welsh public sector.