What they valued
Gareth Symonds
Peer discussion about needs, innovation, outcomes, and transformation felt empowering.
Assistant Director of Commissioning, Surrey County Council
Evidence from the work
Participant experiences
What people took from the National Commissioning Academy and used back in their organisations.
98%made useful connections
91%rated it a good or excellent use of time
91%found it relevant or highly relevant
87%would recommend it
Across public services
Learning that travels back into the work
These summaries preserve participant feedback from earlier academy cohorts. Roles are shown as they were when the feedback was published.
What they valued
Theresa Chambers
The academy gave useful insight into commissioning services around what citizens need.
Home Office
What they valued
Mathew Kendall
Joining with colleagues made it easier to translate each session into organisational action.
Assistant Director, Adult Social Care and Health, Barnet
What they valued
Eddie Pinkard
The experience placed better commissioning at the centre of a wider transformation journey.
Head of Transformation, States of Guernsey
What they valued
Steve Scott
The combination of theory and practical examples supported both personal development and work.
Department for Work and Pensions
What they valued
Mike Wheatley
The network and learning created an opportunity to return to the organisation and lead by example.
Prison Substance Misuse Co-Commissioning, National Offender Management Service
What they valued
Linda Uren
Provider perspectives, investment in communities, and the financial context prompted different thinking.
Gloucestershire County Council
What they valued
Jacqui McKinlay
Time to think, varied speakers, and visits reinforced that commissioning is about people and the right questions, not only procurement.
Director of Customer Services and Communications, Staffordshire County Council
What they valued
Julie Taylor
Cross-public-sector participation created valuable peer learning through shared experience and expertise.
Assistant Chief Executive, London Borough of Barnet
What they valued
Damian Roberts
The academy made commissioning more accessible as good strategic management, from citizen insight to partnership relationships.
Strategic Director, Waverley Borough Council
What they valued
Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicestershire
Protected thinking time, guest speakers, and peer challenge helped the group develop a focused 100-day plan for victims and witnesses.
Participant group
What they valued
Tom Woodcock
Current thinking from government, provider input, commissioner experience, and debate made the programme valuable.
Public Health Commissioning, Lancashire County Council
Start with the work
Tell us what is happening, who needs to act, and what cannot wait.
We will help you decide whether a short diagnostic, an in-house cohort, a place-based academy, or an existing programme is the sensible next move.