Northgate Public Services establishes Innovation Board

Northgate Public Services today announces the establishment of an independent Innovation Board as part of a coordinated campaign to get better for less for public services through new ways of working.

The Innovation Board will strengthen Northgate's innovation drive on behalf of its public services clients and the wider communities in which they operate. This will include:

• collaborating with clients and local communities to deliver outcomes based services based on public satisfaction • identifying promising new innovation ideas and fast tracking them to implementation • contributing to wider public debate around social innovation and identifying policy and practical solutions

The five members of the Innovation Board are Lord Victor Adebowale, Ian Birrell, Peter Gilroy, Sir David Henshaw and Professor Gloria Laycock. The first meeting took place this month. All the members sit on an individual basis and receive an honorarium for their services.

The announcement of the Board follows earlier news of the appointment of four Managing Directors who are spearheading the company's response to the fiscal challenge.

Dave Meaden, Chief Executive of Northgate Public Services, said today:
"We are passionate about making change work. In these challenging times, we need to think fast and act more quickly if we are to get the dynamic service improvement that people deserve".

"We are delighted to have such a talented group of people on our new Board. They will help keep our clients on the fast-track of continuous innovation - using information and technology to underpin services that are not only highly valued, but trusted by the public."

Lord Victor Adebowale is a social entrepreneur and advisor on public service reform. His work embraces social policy across a range of issues including housing, health, criminal justice and employment.

Ian Birrell is one of the most experienced and creative commentators of his generation. He is the joint founder of a social enterprise that brings together musicians from around the world and promotes African music.

Peter Gilroy is an innovation pioneer who has worked across the public and private sectors. At Kent County Council he pioneered the use of telehealth.
He has also focused activities in film and television as part of the core economy.

Sir David Henshaw is Chair of Alder Hey NHS Children's Foundation Trust.
He was formerly Chief Executive of Liverpool City Council. He has a long track record of innovation in public private partnerships and is a trustee of NESTA.

Professor Gloria Laycock is an internationally renowned expert on crime and science. She was previously Founding Director of the Jill Dando Institute of Crime and is now working on policing issues in Abu Dhabi.