Dr. Alisdair Smithies

Current Role

Associate Professor, Healthcare Leadership & Management
The University of Manchester (2024–Present)

• Leading delivery of NHS England programmes, integrating digital innovation, systems leadership and health equity.

• Advising on academic strategy aligned with UK health system transformation.

• Partnering with NHS Trusts, global organisations, and regulatory bodies to shape future-facing education

Previous Roles

Deputy Director, Strategy, Culture & Education Directorate
East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (2022–2023)

• Directed a workforce transformation programme across a 5,000-person service.

• Improved regulatory compliance and closed NHS England improvement actions.

• Managed £10m+ budget across training, estates and CPD infrastructure.
  
  

Head of Academic Development, Institute of Global Health Innovation
Imperial College London & NHS England (2018–2022)

• Designed and delivered a national digital leadership programme influencing 500+ service innovations.

• Launched the Digital Maternity Leaders programme in response to the Ockenden review.

• Built partnerships with WHO, NIHR, and Health Data Research UK.
  
  

Head of Technology Enhanced Learning
Leeds & Dundee Medical Schools / NHS Trusts (2012–2018)

• Implemented immersive technologies including AR/VR in medical education.

• Coordinated clinical academic staff, project managers, technologists and service support staff to deliver innovative education and assessment services to over 5000 healthcare learners, administrators and clinicians 

• Liaised with regional NHS Trusts, commercial and international academic partners to develop novel technological innovations for medical training, using augmented and virtual reality simulations
  
  

Technology Research Associate
University of Manchester (2007–2011)

• Led EU-funded research on generative AI tools for lifelong learning.

• Developed strategic digital initiatives to support education in NHS education settings.