Coventry, England, United Kingdom
I’ve been an internal change agent in a big complex system for more than four decades, most of it in the English National Health Service. I was recently described as " both a deep thinker and deep doer, which is an unusual combination - and full of wisdom about how to lead change at scale" (thank you Caroline Webb). I have led and facilitated many large scale initiatives to improve care, including in cancer services, urgent and emergency care, services for people living with dementia and care in the community. I provide advice, guidance and training on transformational change to leaders of health and care systems in many countries. My career plan was to be at a stage now where I was largely a strategic advisor, However, I have realised how much I love learning from the practical application of change, helping people build change skills and achieve impact, so I remain very much "hands-on". I guide and get involved in many change initiatives, in the UK and internationally. I also think on a big scale with change strategy. I am proud to be an NHS person, to work with the founding NHS principles and to be a "Bevan". (And no, I have no direct family connection to my namesake, Aneurin Bevan who established the NHS, although my family roots are in Monmouthshire where he was born. Bevan is one of the most common family names in Wales). I am a champion for evidence-informed change practice and making research-based knowledge accessible to leaders of change and policymakers. I love being a Professor of Practice, where my role is focussed on making research impactful. I connect directly with thousands of people who work in health and care systems and who use health and care services. I am a significant social influencer in healthcare globally, through my social media connections, virtual presentations, commentaries and blogs.