Case Study: Strengthening Collective Leadership at the Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust

by | Dec 8, 2025 | Case Studies | 0 comments

Case Study: Strengthening Collective Leadership at the Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust

Context: Leadership in a High-Pressure Environment

The Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust (WAST) operates in a uniquely complex and high-pressure environment. Demand for services has increased year on year, with leaders balancing urgent patient needs, system-wide pressures, and regulatory requirements. Recognising the importance of strengthening senior leadership capability, cohesion, and impact, WAST’s Executive Team committed to building greater self-awareness, aligning behaviours with strategic priorities, and enhancing collective leadership to empower employees across the Service.

Our Approach: Executive Team 360 and Facilitated Development

We partnered closely with WAST to ensure the Executive Team 360 was fully aligned with ‘Our WAST Way’, the Trust’s evolving framework for compassionate, inclusive, and collective leadership. Together, we co-designed the process and behaviours to ensure feedback was evidence-based and rooted in strategic and cultural aspirations. The initiative began with an engaging launch event, including an interactive session on Engaging Leadership led by Professor Beverly Alimo-Metcalfe. The Executive Team was briefed on the 360 process to ensure honest, constructive feedback from colleagues and partners.

Executive Team 360 – 2024 Baseline

The initial 360 assessment provided a clear, evidence-based picture of leadership behaviours across the team. Feedback from colleagues, stakeholders, and direct reports highlighted strengths and priority development areas, creating a foundation for growth.

Facilitated Workshops and Collective Action Planning

We facilitated three full-day workshops where the team reviewed findings, identified key themes, and agreed specific actions aligned with strategic goals and cultural aspirations. Sharing feedback with Assistant Directors enhanced trust and psychological safety across the wider leadership team.

Executive Team 360 – 2025 Benchmark

A repeat assessment in 2025 demonstrated clear progression in many areas identified in the 2024 action plan. The results evidenced individual growth and a shift in collective leadership behaviours. Feedback workshops revealed stronger trust, psychological safety, and innovative ways of working.

The Impact

  • Greater Self-Awareness as a Team: Shared understanding of strengths and development areas fostered open, honest conversations and collective responsibility.
  • Evidence of Progression: Tangible improvements in leadership behaviours provided confidence in the team’s ability to adapt and improve.
  • Stronger Collective Leadership: Facilitated workshops built trust, aligned priorities, and reinforced cohesion across the wider organisation.
  • Alignment with Strategic Goals: Leadership development was embedded within WAST’s mission to deliver safe, effective, and responsive care.

What the Organisation Said

“The Executive Team 360 has been invaluable in helping us build self-awareness, not just as individual leaders but as a collective leadership group. The initial assessment gave us clarity on where we stood and what needed to change, while the facilitated workshop created the space to engage with the feedback openly and agree meaningful actions together. Repeating the process in 2025 showed us how far we have progressed and gave us confidence that our development is on the right track. This programme has strengthened our cohesion, improved our leadership behaviours, and ultimately enhanced our ability to lead the organisation in what is an incredibly challenging environment.” — Angie Lewis, Director of Culture Change, Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust

Looking Ahead

WAST continues to build on the foundation established through the Executive Team 360 process. By embedding insights into ongoing development, succession planning, and strategic leadership, the organisation ensures its senior leaders remain resilient, effective, and united in delivering high-quality care to the people of Wales.

Find Out More

The Executive Team 360 provides an evidence-based, research-driven way to understand and strengthen the behaviours that matter most at the highest levels of leadership. To explore how this tool could support your Executive Team and to book a demo, please contact us at hello@realworld-group.com. To read the Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust’s Case Study in full you can download here.