Elevating OD practice in the NHS
Our annual Do OD conference 2025 focused on new approaches and fresh perspectives around OD practice against a challenging NHS backdrop. Speakers and sessions were aimed at lifting OD colleagues out of their everyday into an environment of inspirational techniques, strategies and learning. This page pulls together the insights and resources shared on the day.
Main stage session 1 - Navigating complex change
Julia Tybura, executive coach, non-executive director and HPMA London Founder Board Member
Julia Tybura has recently completed her first transatlantic sail on a 42 foot sailing boat with her husband and friends as crew. She shared her journey from novice sailor to the ‘big trip’ via some very big waves! Julia reflected on the challenges faced through that journey focusing on reflexivity, problem solving, decision making, team working, leadership and proactive management. She invited delegates to reflect on how her stories may resonate with OD practitioners during these complex times.
Main stage session 2 - Transforming NHS people services
Tom Simons, Chief HR and OD Officer, Workforce, Training and Education (WT&E), NHS England
Adam Stanbury, Director of Employer Solutions at CIPD
This session outlined the NHS England vision to transform people services and the role of OD within this. The key aims are improving employee and manager experiences, reducing administrative burdens, automating processes, and shifting HR and OD functions from transactional to strategic priorities. Other aims include cost efficiencies, increased productivity, and better recruitment and workforce planning to address skills shortages and changing employee expectations. The role of digital transformation was also stressed, particularly around the importance of human-centric technology. A detailed timeline was given for finalising the project roadmap, due at the end of October 2025.
Read more on The future of NHS HR and OD report.
Main stage session 3 - Active bystander programme
Bina Kotetcha, Deputy Chief Officer - Culture, OD and Inclusion, Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland ICB
Dr Fiona Kilpatrick, Active Bystander Programme Lead & OD Specialist, LLR ICB
This session outlined pioneering work in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland ICB through its Active Bystander programme. It considered how change impacts on civility and behaviours, and how psychological safety underpins our everyday interactions. The session explored how OD practitioners can elevate everyday practice in challenging times and shared practical models for delegates to take away and use in their own organisations and teams.
Tools, models and ideas swap shop
In our conference swap shop, delegates put forward their favourite OD tool, technique, idea, model or theory to share with others and see brought to life by our creative design team, who displayed all the responses on the day in an evolving graphic wall. You can download and share the final graphic below.
Breakout sessions
Our conference offered a programme of morning and afternoon breakout sessions, covering a wide range of topics and themes for delegates to explore in smaller groups through interactive discussion and activities.
Click on the session titles below to download the presentation slides and find out more.
Morning breakout sessions
- Organisational design: Building the seat at the table
Karen Clark, OD&D Team Leader, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Sean Rooney, Senior OD&D Practitioner at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office - SOOTHE: Organisational culture and wellbeing
Nardia O'Connor, Senior Health, Wellbeing & Organisational Development Practitioner, Midlands Partnership University NHS FT
Dr Michael Sleath, Lead for Staff Wellbeing and Engagement, MPFT - Harnessing appreciative inquiry
Kayleigh Barnett, Head of Continuous Improvement and Appreciative Inquiry Advanced Practitioner Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS
Afternoon breakout sessions
- Learning inquiries: From 'I can't' to 'I can'
Rachel Andrew, Head of Learning and OD, Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust
Dionne Williams, Talent & Future Workforce Manager, Dudley Council - Artificial Intelligence: Turning interests into tangibles
Dr Goran Lukic, Clinical Psychologist working in cardiac rehab - Play with purpose: Nurturing our creative spark
Dee Nambiar, People Consultant, NHS Midlands and Lancashire - Cultivating compassion: Building a thriving workplace
Beth Hill, Head of ICS Leadership Talent and OD, NHS England
Melanie Gregory, Senior Programme Manager - EDI & OD, NHS England
