The Next GenCast

What really happens behind the scenes when NHS policy is made? In this episode, Nish speaks with Dr Amanda Doyle OBE,  National Director for Primary Care and Community Services for NHSE , to unpack how national decisions are actually negotiated, challenged, and delivered into frontline care. From GP partner in a deprived practice to shaping national primary care policy, Amanda shares a rare i...

In this rare and candid conversation, Dr Nish Manek speaks with Jim Mackey, CEO of NHS England , about leadership at the very top of the NHS. Jim reflects on his journey from a working-class upbringing to leading one of the largest healthcare systems in the world, and speaks openly about the reality behind senior leadership - the burden of responsibility, the privilege of making a difference, and...

From sleeping rough at 15 to becoming one of the UK’s youngest female Chief Fire Officers, Sabrina Cohen-Hatton’s story is extraordinary- but this episode goes far beyond inspiration. This is a masterclass in high-stakes leadership, cognitive bias, psychological safety, and refusing to let your childhood define your ceiling. We explore what it really means to lead when decisions carry life-or-deat...

In this episode of Next Gen Cast , Dr Nish Manek speaks with Paul Corrigan , one of the most influential figures in modern UK health policy. From advising Tony Blair inside No.10 to shaping the NHS 10-Year Plan today, Paul brings rare institutional memory and sharp insight into leadership, reform, and why meaningful change in healthcare is so hard to deliver. Together, we explore what leaders get...

In this episode, we welcome back Hannah Miller — the only guest I’ve ever invited for a second conversation so far. Hannah Miller is the Founding Director of Sidekick , a coaching and training company that helps individuals and leaders understand and use their strengths. She’s a certified CliftonStrengths coach , and the creator of The Purpose Pursuit , a programme designed to help people gain cla...

In this episode, Professor Sir Jonathan Van-Tam , former Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England, shares his remarkable journey from a market town in Lincolnshire to the national stage during the COVID-19 pandemic. Known for his honesty, clarity, and trademark analogies, JVT reflects on his family’s extraordinary story , the challenges of breaking into medicine , and the pivotal choices that shap...

🎧 Re-release As many of us take a well-earned pause over the summer, we’re revisiting one of our most popular and inspiring episodes: our conversation with the legendary Don Berwick . Whether you’re listening for the first time or returning to it with fresh ears, this episode is packed with wisdom on leadership, purpose, and finding joy in work. For the past 30 years, Donald Berwick has been one...

Jason Leitch on Leadership, Public Trust & Fixing the Hoover In this powerful and personal episode, Professor Jason Leitch – former National Clinical Director of the Scottish Government – joins Dr. Nish Manek for an honest, insightful conversation on what it truly means to lead through crisis. From storytelling and the imposter syndrome to the pressure of daily COVID briefings, Jason reflects...

In this landmark episode of the Next GenCast , Dr. Nish Manek sits down with Professor Sir Steve Powis , just weeks before he steps down as National Medical Director of the NHS in England after more than seven years in the role. This is not just an interview — it's an unfiltered, powerful reflection on leadership under pressure, told by the man who stood at the helm of the NHS during one of its mo...

For this episode, I’m absolutely honoured to be joined by someone I've wanted to interview for a long time: Prof Sir Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for England. Ever wondered about the man behind the podium—the calm, steady voice that guided the nation through one of its toughest times? Well, today, you get to hear his story. There’s so much more to him than what you’ve seen on screen. What d...

On today’s episode, I’m absolutely honoured to be joined by my dear friend, Dr Becks Fishe r. Becks is a GP and the Director of Research and Policy at the Nuffield Trust —a hugely respected voice in UK health policy. Becks helped to co-found Next Gen GP nearly eight years ago, and she’s been a close friend and someone I’ve deeply admired ever since. In this conversation, Becks shares her journey f...

The Best of The Next Gen Cast: Celebrating Eight Years of Next Gen programmes In this special episode of The Next GenCast, we celebrate the Next Gen's 8-year anniversary by revisiting the highlights from the five most downloaded podcast episodes. Get ready to hear from truly inspiring leaders on a range of topics, from the conversations which have resonated the most with our listeners over the yea...

Today, I’m delighted to welcome Dr Ben Maruthappu , a young leader who has transformed from being a junior doctor to globally recognised entrepreneur. Ben is the co-founder and CEO of Cera , the UK's largest health tech company, which supports over two million patients a month with innovative, home-based care solutions. His work has led to many accolades already, including being named in Forbes’ 3...

I’m thrilled to share the latest episode of our podcast with you. This time, I had the honour of sitting down with Dr Raj Patel MBE . I worked with Raj when he was Interim National Medical Director of Primary Care for NHS England. Before that he was Medical Director for the North-West, and has held numerous senior clinical leadership positions in his career. But it was after reaching what he thoug...

I am SO excited in this episode to speak to Tara Mohr , an expert in women’s leadership and well-being, and an author, educator and certified coach. Her book, Playing Big: Practical Wisdom for Women Who Want to Speak Up, Create and Lead , is one of my favourite books, and I am constantly recommending it to people. It provides real, practical tools to help women quiet self-doubt, identify thei...

This episode is with the wonderful Dr Nnenna Osuji , Chief Exec of North Middlesex University Hospital Trust  and consultant haematologist. From her multicultural upbringing in Scotland and Trinidad to her academic journey in medicine and haematology, Nnenna's path is one of resilience and continuous learning. In this episode, Nnenna opens up about profound life lessons and the challenges she...

This episode is with  Dr Agatha Nortley-Meshe , a practising GP and  Regional Medical Director for Primary Care, for NHS England.  She has extensive experience in urgent care, having previously been Medical Director the London Ambulance Service, and Clinical Governance Lead for Croydon NHS 111.  As one of very few black female leaders in a senior NHS leadership role, Agatha ope...

This episode is with Ben Francis MBE, the founder and now the CEO of Gymshark , the global gym brand that is worth billions. Gym Shark started here in the UK in Birmingham, when Ben was in his 20s and working for Pizza Hut. This is a conversation I have looked forward to for such a long time- there is no one like Ben in the UK, that has built such an iconic company in his 20s. His net worth is ove...

This episode is with Shellye Archambeau , former CEO of MetricStream. You may not have heard of her, but I think you’ll be glad you did when you’ve listened.  I love hearing leadership stories of people outside the NHS, and I think this one in particular gave me lots to think about.  I stumbled across Shelleye on another podcast, and read her book Unapologetically Ambitious - and it blew...

This episode is a media training masterclass, with Max Prangnell . You never know as a leader when you might be thrust under the media spotlight, and it's always better to be prepared. But good, affordable media training is hard to come by.... so we've brought an expert to you. Max has been the Director of Communications and External Affairs at the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges for the last tw...

This month we are re-releasing one of our most popular episodes - a conversation with Sir John Timpson , Chairman and owner of Timpson. Many observers can't understand how a firm of shoe repairers can keep its staff happier than some of Britain's richest companies.  The answer lies with the chairman of Timpson and his no-nonsense approach to management. John has ensured they do more than...

This episode is witih Dr Karen Kirkham , who is Chief Medical Officer of Deloitte . Karen has been a practising GP for over 30 years, and previously was Clinical Lead for the Dorset Integrated Care System, as well as a National Clinical Advisor for Systems Development with NHSE/I. She's an insightful, well-respected, inspiring leader who's not afraid to speak up, and is a huge advocate for clinica...

Our 2024 season kicks off with Dr Claire Fuller, who is the National Medical Director of Primary Care for NHSE, a role she's held since September 2023. Prior to that she was Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care System Chief Executive, having previously been the Accountable Officer for the CCG. She's been a practising GP in the area since 1995. In November 2021, Claire was invited by NHS England Chief...

After a bit of a break, The Next GenCast is back with some amazing guests for you... And that starts with this episode, which is with our most requested guest since the podcast started- Professor Michael West.   Michael West is officially Professor of Work and Organisational Psychology at Lancaster Universit y, but he’s known to many as the guru on compassionate leadership for the NHS. He’s w...

This is our Next GenCast Christmas Special! We've done something different for this one: instead of hearing from a leader, this episode is with the utterly brilliant best-selling author and journalist, Oliver Burkeman . His latest book "Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals ", was easily my best read of 2022, and might give you lots to think about over the Xmas period. The average perso...