King's College London

REACH (Research Excellence and Academic Leadership in Clinical Healthcare) is designed to support clinical academics who wish to maintain research as a central component of their careers while advancing into leadership roles. This support is much needed; healthcare providers with significant involvement in research deliver better patient outcomes, yet clinical academic numbers are in decline. It is therefore vital that we nurture the future generation of clinical academic leaders at KHP.

REACH is aimed at registered health and care professionals across King’s Health Partners who hold a PhD, MD, or equivalent higher degree. It seeks to equip participants with the skills, confidence, and networks needed to navigate NHS and university systems, progress as clinical academic leaders, and increase their influence across research, education and patient care.

The programme will run throughout the 2026–27 academic year and consists of eight sessions totalling approximately 20 hours. Designed to fit alongside clinical roles and delivered through a mix of in-person and online formats, the sessions will include keynote talks, panel discussions, and interactive workshops. Participants will hear from leading figures in clinical research across King’s Health Partners, gaining insights from experienced leaders in the field, including Professor Anne-Maree Keenan OBE, Professor Sharlene Greenwood, and Professor Lucy Chappell, CEO of NIHR.

A core aim of REACH is to foster a strong peer network among our emerging clinical academic leaders. By joining the programme, participants will build connections with colleagues facing similar challenges and opportunities, helping to establish a supportive community as they begin their leadership journey.

REACH is delivered in partnership with Professor Gerry McGivern, King’s Business School, and facilitated by Susie Edwards, an educator, coach, and leadership specialist working at the intersection of leadership, careers, and organisational learning. Susie has over two decades of experience across the NHS, higher education, and international research communities.

Together with KCATO, REACH is sponsored by Professor Philip Newsome, Director of the KHP Centre for Translational Medicine. “It's been a real pleasure to help shape REACH,” he said. “The programme builds on excellent existing work across KHP, and offers participants something distinctive: a structured, peer-rich environment to develop as research-active leaders across the NHS-university interface. Our ambition is to do this at scale, building a clinical academic community that accelerates translation, improves patient outcomes, and drives NHS productivity and economic growth.”

Please visit the KCATO SharePoint to read more about the programme and view the course dates. Applications are open until 30 June 2026. You can access the application form here.