Michael West CBE

Michael West CBE is a highly influential figure in organisational psychology and healthcare, serving as a Senior Visiting Fellow at The King's Fund and a Professor at Lancaster University, alongside other academic appointments. With a PhD in the psychology of meditation, he has authored over 20 books and more than 200 articles focusing on teamwork, innovation, compassionate leadership, and culture, particularly within healthcare. His expertise is widely recognised, holding fellowships with prestigious bodies like the British Psychological Society and the American Psychological Association, and he is an Honorary Fellow of both the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow and the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery.

Michael has played a pivotal role in shaping healthcare policy and practice. He co-chaired a major inquiry into the mental health of doctors for the UK General Medical Council and led a King's Fund review on the well-being of nurses and midwives across the UK, resulting in significant reports. His latest book, "Compassionate Leadership" (2021), underscores his dedication to fostering humane and effective care environments. He actively supports healthcare organisations globally in developing compassionate, high-quality care cultures, a commitment that earned him a CBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List 2020 for his services to compassion and innovation in healthcare.

• Session Keynote, "Compassionate Leadership for Data-Driven Healthcare: Transforming Culture and Outcomes," Thursday, 25 September 2025, 09:00–09:40, Welcome & Opening (video).