At a time of enormous change in the NHS, leaders and managers have a crucial role to play. But what sort of leaders does the service need? This report explores whether the model, prevalent in public service over recent years, of the ‘hero’ chief executive still hold sway?

The report suggests that leadership development needs to extend ‘from the board to the ward’. One of the biggest weaknesses of the NHS has been its failure to engage clinicians – particularly, but not only doctors – in a sustained way in management and leadership. Individuals within the service, and its providers, need to be given both the ability and the confidence to challenge poor practice. Management and leadership needs to be shared between managers and clinicians and equally valued by both

Download: The future of leadership and management in the NHS. No more heroes