News

Institute for Collaborative Working partners with DBAA

The Developing Business-Aware Academics (DBAA) project is delighted to announce a new partnership with the Institute for Collaborative Working (ICW).

The partnership will explore the modes of engagement between academic and non-academic partners, the potential of diverse research talent to meet business needs, and how best to collaborate to ensure mutual benefit.

The Institute for Collaborative Working brings together organisations, large and small, from across multiple sectors to build and develop effective business relationships, based on collaborative working good practice.

It is a recognised leader in collaborative working and expert in the international standard for collaboration in business - ISO 44001.

DBAA brings together academics, industry, non-profits and policy makers to encourage mobility of people and ideas, boost the economy, and enable a healthier, more sustainable and socially-just future for all.

Working in partnership with ICW enables us to bring together organisations across academic and non-academic contexts to gain insights on how best to create mutual benefit and successful cross-sector partnerships.

Find out more about working with Developing Business-Aware Academics on our Partners page or download our brochure here.

by Trevor Gore, Associate Director, ICW

7th of April is World Health Day, and the focus this year is "Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures: focusing on maternal health". Now whilst that doesn't sound a promising starting place for an article on collaboration, it did start me thinking...

Pregnancy isn't just about doctor visits - it takes a whole team. Obstetricians, midwives, nurses, pharmacists, and community health workers all play a role in supporting moms before, during, and after birth. Pharmacists, for example, can do more than just fill prescriptions. They can provide prenatal vitamins, vaccines like flu and Whooping cough, and advice on medication safety to keep both mum and baby healthy. They can also screen for conditions like gestational diabetes and high blood pressure-helping at-risk moms get the care they need sooner.

Many women feel unsupported after birth, especially regarding mental health, breastfeeding, and recovery. Closer working between maternity teams, health visitors, community pharmacists, and mental health services to provide more holistic postnatal support, requires a collaborative mindset with the new mother at the centre. The phrase "No decision about me, without me" became a key principle in UK healthcare policy, particularly under the 2010 NHS White Paper, Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS. It emphasised patient-centred care, ensuring that individuals are involved in decisions about their treatment and care. In maternity services this means ensuring pregnant women are fully involved in decisions about their birth preferences (e.g., home birth vs. hospital birth, pain relief options), and what level of support is appropriate for them when they return home.

Healthcare doesn't stop at the clinic doors. Strong partnerships with local organisations, NGOs, and community groups can help address things like access to nutritious food, mental health resources, and safe housing. Peer support programs - where experienced moms mentor first-time mothers - can boost confidence and emotional well-being. Because sometimes, you just need to hear "You've got this": from someone who's been there. The number one source of information for the 1st time mum, is still her own mother.

The best healthcare happens when providers learn from each other. Cross-training sessions between doctors, nurses, and pharmacists can strengthen teamwork and improve maternal care and when healthcare professionals understand different cultural perspectives on pregnancy and childbirth, they can provide more personalised, respectful care. Sadly, we have seen too many examples of siloed thinking in maternity, leading to disastrous outcomes for both mother and baby.

Beyond medical care, policies make a huge difference in maternal health. When healthcare providers, policymakers, and public health advocates work together, they can push for: Better maternity leave policies: Increased access to contraception and more funding for maternal health programs. Public-private partnerships can also bring in much-needed resources to improve maternal healthcare services. When healthcare professionals, community leaders, and policymakers collaborate, moms get the care, support, and respect they need for a healthy pregnancy and a bright future. Because when we work together, everyone wins - especially the next generation.

trevor.gore@icw.uk.com

At the recent ICW Aviation Sector Lunch, we were pleased to award our prestigious Collaborative Pioneer Award to Tim Bullock of NATS.

The award recognises ICW members who have made significant contributions both to The Institute and to collaboration in general over a considerable period,.

A Fellow of the Institute and director of the board, Tim has been involved with ICW for over 10 years, and is passionately committed to collaboration.

Lord David Evans of Watford said: "Tim has been a truly fantastic supporter of the ICW. Over many years, he has worked tirelessly as a member of the ICW Board, encouraging others to join the Institute and experience the benefits of membership. When I was ICW Chairman, Tim was often by my side — offering a steadying hand through the ups and downs, with wise advice and loyal friendship. It gave me enormous pleasure to present this award to him."

Many congratulations Tim!

ICW Welcomes 8 New Members

ICW congratulates the following successful candidates on passing the latest ICW 44001 Leaders course held at Warwick University March 17-20th And welcomes them as Members of the Institute.

Alison Auld, Catrina Lynch, Ben Baxendale, Louise Lyford, Stuart McNamara, Mike Preston, Caroline Brown and Joanne Power.

The group are seen here with Leigh Lawry, the course Tutor, and Paul Connor, the adjudicator.

If you would like to consider doing the course, follow this link.

The ICW Aviation Sector Networking Lunch, proudly sponsored by NATS, brought together a group of organisations truly committed to collaboration in the industry, for an afternoon of new introductions, meaningful discussion and connection. The event was introduced by Lord John Hannett OBE, ICW Chairman, with an inspiring keynote speech from Fiona Hill, NATS Director of Airport Operations.

The aviation sector thrives on precision, efficiency, and trust to ensure that safety is always paramount. From air traffic management to infrastructure development and sustainability initiatives, working together closely and in collaboration ensures safer skies, smoother operations, and a more resilient future. In an industry where complexity meets innovation and rapid technological changes and opportunities, structured collaboration drives efficiency, innovation, and long-term success.

Bringing leaders together in exclusive venues, fosters an environment where ideas can flourish, partnerships can be strengthened, and meaningful conversations can take place away from day-to-day pressures. ICW events like this elevate industry engagement, enabling decision-makers to connect, share insights, and help shape the future of aviation in a setting that inspires excellence.

We look forward to welcoming industry leader members to more of these sector events in the future... advancing collaboration to make good things happen.

Read in-depth article 'Strengthening Aviation Through Collaboration' on PMG News' website

Photos from the event

A special Aviation Sector Collaboration Luncheon will take place at the House of Lords this week, hosted by the Institute for Collaborative Working and sponsored by NATS, to celebrate the power of collaboration in the aviation industry.

The event highlights how partnership-driven approaches in air traffic management, airport infrastructure, and supply chain operations have been at the foundation of, and continue to drive, safety, innovation, resilience and sustainability.

Aviation has long been a pioneer in collaboration, with organisations like NATS leading the way in creating trust-based partnerships that deliver efficiency and value. These collaborations have advanced air traffic management systems, infrastructure deployment projects, sustainability efforts, and supply chain relationships. The luncheon will recognise outstanding collaborative achievements, encourage dialogue among industry leaders, and highlight best practices for building a more sustainable and resilient aviation sector.

The event aims to inspire future partnerships and innovations to ensure the continued progress of the sector, with ICW members at the forefront of this transformational change, through collaboration.

ICW is delighted to announce that BAM UK & Ireland will once again be the proud sponsor of our Annual Collaborative Working Reception at the House of Lords on 14th of May. This year, we are honoured to welcome Alan Cox, BAM's Managing Director, as our keynote speaker.

As an Ambassador Member of ICW, BAM consistently champions collaborative working, not just through active participation in our thought leadership activities but also through its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and knowledge-sharing. From strategic partnerships to on-the-ground engagement in our initiatives and site visits, BAM continues to push the boundaries of best practice in collaboration.

ICW Chief Executive, Frank Lee, said: "We are thrilled to have such a distinguished organisation as BAM - whose values so closely align with those of ICW - sponsoring our reception this year. We look forward to welcoming Alan Cox and many of his outstanding colleagues, including Gillian Peters and Brian Walton, to the House of Lords for what promises to be an inspiring afternoon.

"A huge thank you to BAM for their ongoing support and commitment to strengthening collaboration."

Please note: this is an Executive Network event and is by invitation only.

It was great for the ICW to be part of the Interchange Round Table on 'Collaborative innovation for sustainable value' at Interchange 25 (Connected | Transport | Infrastructure) in Manchester today.

Hosted by Skanska UK (Simon Cresswell) and the Rail Supply Group (Paul Corcoran), we joined a group of influential and committed organisations to discuss how we might realise greater sustainable value through collaborative and sustainable innovation.

Participating Organisations were - Amco Giffen, Buro Happold, Composite Braiding Ltd, Connected Places Catapult, Crown Commercial Service (CCS), Department for Business & Trade, Department for Transport, Global Centre of Rail Excellence (GCRE), High Speed 2 (HS2), Innovate UK Catapult, Institute for Collaborative Working, Network Rail, Rail Forum, Rail Industry Association (RIA), Rail Supply Group, Skanska, Unipart, WSP (HS2 and GCRE were not present but are part of the initiative).

At the heart of the conversation is the Rail Supply Group's Rail Sector Innovation Charter.

Great discussions with BSI Assurance this week!

As many of you know, ICW CEO Frank Lee always enjoys getting out of the office to visit our members and learn more about their work. This week, Adrian Miller, James Brener, and Frank had the pleasure of meeting with our Ambassador Member, BSI, where they were able to explore the fantastic work BSI is doing in sustainability, particularly the BSI Net Zero Pathway, as well as in digital trust—two crucial areas where collaboration is key to helping organisations address these challenges more effectively.

Their discussions also focused on enhancing collaboration in the UK, especially in supporting SMEs as a vital part of the government's growth agenda. Beyond the UK, they explored opportunities in the Middle East and Asia-Pacific regions, looking at how we can work together to support our mutual members and clients.

A huge thank you to the BSI team for the warm welcome and for sharing the inspiring initiatives they are leading!

Strengthening Collaboration for a Better East Midlands

Frank Lee, alongside colleague Henry Pavey MBA, CTArcf, FICW, had the pleasure of meeting Claire Ward, Mayor of the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA), for an exciting and insightful discussion on collaboration.

Together they explored how partnerships with EMCCA's supply chain—particularly in green energy, housing, and transport—can drive greater social value and deliver long-term economic benefits, especially for the region's most deprived communities.

A key theme was how greater collaboration across the devolved combined authorities nationwide could unlock even greater benefits for local communities.

It was also fantastic to meet Claire Spencer and Niamh Carey from Claire Ward's team and discuss how deeper collaboration between local authorities, businesses, educational institutions, and community organisations is critical to achieving EMCCA's ambitious goals.

By working together, we can:

• Leverage Resources - Enabling more effective and efficient project implementation.
• Align Strategies - Ensuring initiatives complement rather than compete, maximizing impact.
• Enhance Innovation - Bringing diverse perspectives to solve regional challenges and drive inclusive growth.
• Strengthen Advocacy - Creating a unified voice to secure funding and policy support at the national level.

Collaboration is at the heart of progress, and we’re looking forward to continuing these discussions to help drive meaningful change in the East Midlands!