The current leadership landscape
The discussion at our recent strategy day highlighted several external pressures shaping leadership in health and care, including political division, workforce challenges, funding uncertainty, and evolving NHS policies with limited clarity on resourcing.
Members have noted that workforce morale is affected by the ongoing tension between prevention and treatment, with prevention outcomes often harder to evidence. The shifts towards value-based care and patient-led budgeting signal significant systemic change. It could potentially increase private sector involvement and patient choice, but raises questions about service sustainability.
The committee (members pictured below) emphasised the importance of adaptive leadership, systemic thinking, and staying anchored in core professional values to sustain passion and resilience amid ongoing complexity.
Future directions: Strategic priority areas and future planning
Building on the faculty’s ongoing projects and achievements, the committee has identified four emerging priority areas to complement current workstreams and broaden their impact:
- Prevention and public health – starting with a thinking space event to explore clinical psychology’s unique role in the evolving NHS agenda
- AI and leadership in a technological age – planning agile events and expert discussions, including international perspectives
- Value-based leadership and reigniting passion – creating experiential, in-person events to reconnect psychologists with core values, wellbeing, and cultural inclusivity
- Mid-career psychologist engagement – providing opportunities for mid-career members to lead events with mentorship and support from the committee.
These priorities build on ongoing work in leadership development, member engagement, and policy influence, ensuring continuity while extending our reach. They also align with BPS strategic goals around community, confidence, championing the profession, and coordination.
We are committed to improving communication and visibility, enhancing our online presence, exploring preferred engagement platforms, and introducing creative updates such as podcasts and visual stories.
Members are encouraged to get involved, share ideas, or lead initiatives, and generally help shape the faculty’s activities so our workstreams are relevant and impactful. Together, we can sustain momentum, strengthen collaboration, and make a difference across the profession. We welcome members from all career stages to consider joining the committee. Serving on the Faculty Committee provides a valuable opportunity to shape the future of leadership within our profession, develop new skills, and build connections with colleagues across different settings.
If you would like to learn more or express your interest, please contact Amra Rao, Committee Chair, at [email protected]
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