CEO Today UK Awards 2021

system leadership and partnership working approach has been fundamental to the region’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its ongoing recovery. Paul Orders, Chief Executive of Cardiff Council said: “ In the last 12 months, Len has been a pivotal figure in leading the city’s strategic response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Health Board’s own herculean efforts to deal with the exceptional pressures placed on the NHS during this unprecedented and challenging period. He has demonstrated not only his exceptional leadership and organisational skills, but also his absolute commitment to partnership working and staff engagement. ” As part of its early response to the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board established the Dragon’s Heart Hospital, Wales’ largest temporary hospital and the second largest in the UK. The Dragon’s Heart Hospital was a unique collaboration with the Welsh Government, Cardiff Council, the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), Cardiff Blues rugby team, the Principality Stadium, and NHS Wales as well as 650 contractors and 30 members of the armed forces. The hospital was designed and built at an astonishing pace with the first 300 beds ready to accept patients in under two weeks, with a further 1,200 beds made ready in 39 days since the start of construction. The Health Board also worked at pace with partners to establish the Lakeside Wing – a step-down facility for patients undergoing essential rehabilitation after a period of acute illness. Using a multi-disciplinary model of care, the Lakeside Wing draws on the expertise of staff including physiotherapists, occupational therapists, dieticians, pharmacists, healthcare support workers and registered nurses. These rapid, system-wide responses to the pandemic and its impacts sparked the inspiration for the Dragon’s Heart Institute – the home of innovation, excellence, leadership development and collaboration for the future of the health and care system in Wales, the UK and the world. The Institute will nurture and build on the spirit of innovation and achievement seen during the development of the Dragon’s Heart Hospital to tackle global health challenges. Kevin Morgan, Dean of Engagement at Cardiff University said: “ I have worked with Len Richards and his team on a number of issues and joint projects. I can say without a shadow of doubt that he is the most visionary and consequential chief executive I have ever dealt with in the NHS. As well as being a big picture manager who can visualise and communicate a compelling vision of integrated health and social care, Len also sees the multiple dividends that can be secured from working in and through a regional ecosystem in which Cardiff and Vale works in concert with key partners such as Cardiff University and the Cardiff Capital Region. “This is the regional ecosystem that I hope and believe will deliver the UHW2 project, which involves the creation of a medtech innovation district as well as a world class health system that has well-being at its heart. Projects of this scale require real leadership and Len Richards has already proved that he has the qualities to fulfil that role. ” A culture of continuous learning Through collaboration with learning organisations and his continuing curiosity, Len has fostered a culture of continuous learning at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board that is exemplified in the establishment of the Dragon’s Heart Institute. The Institute’s current programmes include the Chief Executive’s Innovation Fund, which is administered by the Innovation Multi-disciplinary team, for those with revolutionary ideas to gain extra financial support to allow their ideas to take root and spread effectively throughout the Health Board; the Spread and Scale Academy which encourages teams to widen the reach and adoption of successful projects across the organisation, region or across Wales; and the All-Wales Academy for Innovation in Health & Social Care, which the Health Board is delivering in partnership with Swansea University, Cardiff University, and the Bevan Commission. These programmes will support the Dragon’s Heart Institute to drive transformative change with strong leadership, good practice and new models on a national level. Mike Farrar CBE, FRCGP, FRCP, former chief executive of NHS Confederation and NHS Northwest Strategic Health Authority said: “ Len Richards is one of the most outstanding CEOs I have worked with during my 40 years of working in or with the NHS. I have worked with him in his roles in the Wirral, London, Australia, and most recently in Cardiff and Vale. In each role, he has brought vision, creativity, and the delivery of high-quality care, all focused on the patients and the staff who work for him. “His work in developing the learning partnership between Cardiff and the Canterbury Health System in New Zealand has been inspiring and has led to real transformation of services. Len has also responded to my request to be a speaker and role model on the NHS Leadership Academy Nye Bevan course for aspiring directors and the feedback I receive from delegates about his wisdom and commitment is fantastic ”. From his earlier career successes in the delivery of quality improvement programmes to his leadership presentations to international audiences in Sweden, Australia and the UK, Len has demonstrated his commitment to share insight and learn from others. As the Health Board reflects on a full year’s impact from COVID-19, Len is leading the organisation to remember, reflect and build on the spirit of innovation, collaboration and dedication shown by staff across the organisation. “Len is leading the organisation to remember, reflect and build on the spirit of innovation, collaboration and dedication shown by staff across the organisation.” 29 CEO TODAY UNITED KINGDOM AWARDS 2021 Healthcare