A triumph for new leadership scheme GenerationQ

This is an important first for the Health Foundation. Abigail Masterson and Pippa Gough, Assistant Directors at the Health Foundation, said: ‘GenerationQ is the first programme of its type, combining leadership development and improvement science. Achieving validation means that not only is it unique in its content and ambition, but that it offers academic rigour and the award of a post-graduate qualification as well.'

Validation is a rigorous peer review process where academic institutions subject programmes to intense scrutiny – programmes must be of an appropriate level and quality to merit participants receiving an academic award on successful completion.

The validation panel included Dr Zoe Clark from Warwick Business School and Dr Kate Clarke, Director of the Open University Validation Services, along with staff with responsibility for qualifications and quality from Ashridge.

The panel particularly praised:

• the unique partnership between Ashridge and Unipart
• the innovative programme design and content
• the robust selection processes
• the high quality of the written documentation, such as the participants' handbook
• the valuable contribution that the Health Foundation's investment in this programme would make, both nationally and internationally, to learning about leading for improvement.

About GenerationQ

GenerationQ aims to create skilled and effective leaders for quality improvement by providing interventions which are effective and grounded leadership development and improvement science best practice.

The fully funded 18-month programme started in April 2010 and is run by a partnership between Ashridge and Unipart Expert Practices. It focuses on a unique combination of leadership development and improvement science in the context of the real, day-to-day situations and challenges of the UK health system.

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