HLA & Medics.Academy Faculty Weekend 2026

This year’s Faculty Weekend brought together colleagues from the Healthcare Leadership Academy and Medics Academy in Newton Poppleford for a weekend of learning, reflection and connection. Despite some challenging weather, participants enjoyed a range of activities, including a yoga session and a visit to the Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary. A key feature of the weekend was the opportunity for faculty members to come together and explore topics related to leadership, strategic planning and personal development.

One highlight included a thought-provoking workshop led by Josie Cheetham on representation, including equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), which encouraged discussion around individual versus organisational approaches to inclusion, the importance of visibility, and the role of identity in leadership. The weekend also reinforced one of the core values of the HLA: the importance of relationships. By creating space to connect beyond professional roles, faculty members were able to strengthen the personal connections that underpin The HLA’s continued success.