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Delivery by Design

Delivery by Design

By: Alastair Mitchell-Baker
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Welcome to Delivery by Design, the podcast that explores how organisations move from good ideas to real impact. Hosted by Alastair Mitchell-Baker from Tricordant, this podcast looks at what it truly takes to deliver results in complex organisations. Each episode brings conversations with leaders, consultants, and practitioners who are working on the front lines of organisational change, leadership, and system transformation. From strategy and organisation design to leadership development and systems thinking, Delivery by Design uncovers how successful organisations align people, structure, and culture to achieve meaningful outcomes. Whether you're navigating transformation, improving how teams work together, or shaping the future direction of your organisation, this podcast offers practical perspectives and real-world experiences from those doing the work. Tricordant has spent years helping organisations design healthier, more effective systems that allow people and teams to perform at their best. In this podcast, those ideas come to life through stories, lessons, and conversations that show what it takes to turn vision into delivery. If you care about leadership, organisational effectiveness, and creating workplaces that truly work, Delivery by Design brings the thinking and experience behind successful change.Copyright 2026 Alastair Mitchell-Baker Economics Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • How Collaboration Builds Momentum Across Health Systems with Ian Hutchison

    How Collaboration Builds Momentum Across Health Systems with Ian Hutchison
    14 Oct 2026
    In this episode of the Delivery by Design Podcast, Alastair Mitchell-Baker speaks with Ian Hutchison, a Non-Executive Director at Community Dental Services CIC, and former Chief Executive Officer of East Coast Community Healthcare CIC, about operating models, organisational design, leadership , trust, and turning strategy into effective frontline delivery.Ian explains why an operating model should provide a practical way of translating an organisation’s purpose and strategy into how people, processes, systems, data, structure, culture, and behaviours work together. He reflects on his time leading East Coast Community Healthcare, the importance of building relationships and momentum across organisational boundaries, and why senior leaders need to create the conditions for others to succeed rather than becoming consumed by running day-to-day operations.Key Takeaways:Why an operating model should connect strategy and purpose with people, processes, systems, data, culture, and organisational design.How a target operating model differs from strategy and a transformation plan.Why operating models can become barriers to delivery when organisations lose control of critical capabilities.How changing external circumstances should influence operating model and leadership decisions.How too many organisational layers can slow decision-making and disconnect strategy from frontline delivery.Why leadership at every level is fundamental to consistently high-performing organisations.Why leaders should focus outward rather than spending all their time running day-to-day operations.How leaders can maintain their own energy while continuing to provide direction and momentum during periods of change.Noteworthy Quotes:“In simple terms, it’s a way of working that helps you deliver your core purpose.” – Ian Hutchison“Nine times out of ten, it comes down to effective leadership.” – Ian Hutchison“Your job isn’t to tell them and hold them to account. It’s to enable and create the conditions for them to be successful.” – Ian Hutchison“Good organisations are generally good organisations because they’re well led.” – Ian Hutchison“Leadership is just so important and leaders cast such long shadows.” – Ian Hutchison“Your job as leader isn’t to run the organisation.” – Ian Hutchison“Your job as a leader is to keep it on the road or the rail.” – Ian HutchisonKey Timestamps00:00 - Why leaders should not spend their time running the organisation01:06 - Introduction to Ian Hutchison and his leadership journey01:52 - What does an operating model really mean?04:50 - When operating models help or hinder delivery09:35 - Adapting operating models when the external environment changes16:23 - Finding the right balance of organisational layers20:05 - What consistently high-performing organisations get right23:27 - Context, trust, and high-performing teams28:32 - Why trust takes time to build and seconds to lose35:04 - Leadership lessons from East Coast Community Healthcare36:09 - Building relationships, collaboration, and momentum43:30 - Why leaders cast such a long shadow45:57 - Closing reflectionsDisclosure: Portions of this episode (such as the introduction or promotional segments) use AI-generated voice narration produced under human editorial review.Follow Our Guest, Ian Hutchison:Ian Hutchison LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-hutchison-a101a210/ Community Dental Services CIC Website: Community Dental Services CICCommunity Dental Services CIC LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/communitydentalservices-cic/ Connect with the Host, Alastair Mitchell-Baker:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alastair-mitchell-baker-a01babb/Follow our Colleagues from Tricordant: Andrew Liles: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-liles-282b1792/ Yasmin Wills: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yasmin-wills-b72535146/ Nick Richmond: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickgmrichmond/ Helen Blanchard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenblanchard21/ More from Tricordant:Website: https://www.tricordant.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo2WP_UCnm-tszOIc87O36QLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tricordant-ltd/Email: office@tricordant.com Follow the Podcast:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/delivery-by-design/id1884004753Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1FZ3DP0DcivWcXv8bJH3Hw?si=64f2414b3fbd44cc
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    46 min
  • Healthcare Leadership Lessons from One of the UK's Best NHS CEOs with Chike Ify Okocha

    Healthcare Leadership Lessons from One of the UK's Best NHS CEOs with Chike Ify Okocha
    30 Sep 2026
    In this episode of the Delivery by Design Podcast, Alastair Mitchell-Baker speaks with Chike Ify Okocha, Chief Executive Officer at Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, about operating models, leadership, and the future of mental health and community healthcare.Chike Ify explains why an effective operating model starts with purpose and connects values, strategy, culture, leadership, clinical delivery, and partnerships. Drawing on his experience as a consultant psychiatrist, medical director, and chief executive, he discusses the importance of communicating in plain English, developing leaders at every level, and creating an organisation where both patients and staff can thrive.The conversation also explores the distinctive challenges of leading community and mental health services, from managing clinical risk across dispersed teams to designing neighborhood-based care. Chike Ify reflects on prevention, population health, social determinants of health, resilience in leadership, and why the NHS must balance today’s pressures with investing in better outcomes for the future.Key Takeaways:Why an effective operating model begins with a clear organisational purpose.How values, strategy, culture, leadership, and clinical delivery need to work together.Why NHS leaders should communicate complex ideas in plain English.How dispersed mental health and community services create distinctive leadership and risk challenges.Why neighborhood-based care should combine accessible local services with specialist expertise.How social determinants of health and early intervention can improve long-term outcomes.Why developing leadership capability at every level is essential for sustainable change.Noteworthy Quotes:“People need to know why we exist.” – Chike Ify Okocha“I go to work every day to improve my life.” – Chike Ify Okocha“If you are really good at something, you should be able to describe it in plain English.” – Chike Ify Okocha“We’re not linear. We’re just not linear.” – Chike Ify Okocha“The health of a nation isn’t just in the hands of a national health service.” – Chike Ify Okocha“I really see this as a real service to people.” – Chike Ify Okocha“Use every opportunity to develop yourself, not just be technical, but really push and challenge yourself.” – Chike Ify OkochaKey Timestamps00:00 - Introduction to Chike Ify Okocha and his leadership journey02:04 - What does an NHS operating model really mean?04:49 - Purpose, values, and creating a great place to work06:26 - Strategy, quality improvement, and clinical leadership09:00 - Developing leaders at every level12:20 - Why NHS leadership needs to avoid jargon16:12 - The unique challenges of mental health and community services23:34 - Managing risk and clinical judgement in mental healthcare27:23 - Balancing neighbourhood services with specialist expertise31:25 - Social determinants of health and prevention36:08 - Working across boroughs and organisational boundaries40:21 - Finding resilience through faith, family, and purpose43:08 - The future of community and mental health services45:19 - Developing the next generation of NHS leaders46:00 - Continuous improvement and closing reflectionsDisclosure: Portions of this episode (such as the introduction or promotional segments) use AI-generated voice narration produced under human editorial review.Follow Our Guest, Chike Ify Okocha:Chike Ify Okocha LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chike-ify-okocha-b68b3652/Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust Website: https://oxleas.nhs.uk/Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/oxleasnhs/Connect with the Host, Alastair Mitchell-Baker:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alastair-mitchell-baker-a01babb/Follow our Colleagues from Tricordant: Andrew Liles: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-liles-282b1792/Yasmin Wills: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yasmin-wills-b72535146/Nick Richmond: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickgmrichmond/Helen Blanchard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenblanchard21/More from Tricordant:Website: https://www.tricordant.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo2WP_UCnm-tszOIc87O36QLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tricordant-ltd/Email: office@tricordant.comFollow the Podcast:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/delivery-by-design/id1884004753Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1FZ3DP0DcivWcXv8bJH3Hw?si=64f2414b3fbd44cc
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    46 min
  • What the NHS Needs to Get Right About Operating Models? with Suzanne Rankin

    What the NHS Needs to Get Right About Operating Models? with Suzanne Rankin
    16 Sep 2026
    In this episode of the Delivery by Design Podcast, Alastair Mitchell-Baker speaks with Suzanne Rankin, former Chief Executive Officer at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board and the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, about leadership, operating models, and redesigning healthcare organisations for the future.Suzanne shares her journey from registered nurse and Royal Navy medical service leader to chief executive of large and complex healthcare organisations. She explains why an operating model is more than organisational structure.The conversation explores lessons from military leadership doctrine, the importance of consistency and organisational memory, and how healthcare systems can work across organisational boundaries to deliver more integrated, neighbourhood-based care. Suzanne also reflects on how her nursing values have shaped her leadership approach, the changing role of ward leadership, and why visible, compassionate leadership remains essential in modern healthcare.Key Takeaways:Why an operating model must connect strategy, culture, systems, and behaviours to effective delivery.How military leadership doctrine provides lessons for consistency, trust, and organisational alignment.Why continuity of leadership and corporate memory are critical for long-term organisational performance.How integrated planning across health and care systems can improve patient pathways.Why neighbourhood health models require new ways of working across acute, community, primary, and social care.How Suzanne’s nursing values continue to shape her approach to leadership.How visible leadership and listening to staff and patients help create sustainable change.Noteworthy Quotes:“An operating model is the way we organise ourselves, and that can be structure, but it is certainly not structure alone.” – Suzanne Rankin“Linking strategy to delivery is the bit between — that is your operating model.” – Suzanne Rankin“If you have to use your rank to get something done, then you are failing as a leader.” – Suzanne Rankin“Consistency in the NHS is not spoken about enough and should be sought more often.” – Suzanne Rankin“Designing an operating model is quite straightforward. Implementing one is a whole different beast.” – Suzanne Rankin“The best clinical tool in your toolbox is your eyeball followed by your nose and your ears and your mouth.” – Suzanne Rankin“Every day I’m learning something.” – Suzanne RankinKey Timestamps00:00 - Introduction: Suzanne Rankin’s leadership journey from nursing to chief executive01:57 - What does an operating model mean in practice?05:34 - The challenges facing modern healthcare organisations08:51 - Building consistent leadership approaches across healthcare14:32 - Relationships, trust, and leading across healthcare systems16:20 - Creating integrated, patient-centred pathways across organisations21:03 - Breaking down barriers between primary, community, and acute care26:10 - Challenging outdated processes and removing unnecessary rules28:12 - How nursing values shaped Suzanne’s leadership approach31:33 - How healthcare delivery has changed for frontline nurses35:48 - Strengthening ward leadership and empowering frontline teams39:01 - Beginning a new leadership role through listening and learning40:33 - Resilience, vulnerability, and leading through difficult times43:05 - Closing reflections on leadership and healthcare transformationDisclosure: Portions of this episode (such as the introduction or promotional segments) use AI-generated voice narration produced under human editorial review.Follow Our Guest, Suzanne Rankin:Suzanne Rankin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzanne-rankin-2a277028/ Cardiff and Vale University Health Board LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cardiff-and-vale-university-health-board/ Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Website: https://hiowhealthcare.nhs.uk/ Connect with the Host, Alastair Mitchell-Baker:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alastair-mitchell-baker-a01babb/Follow our Colleagues from Tricordant: Andrew Liles: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-liles-282b1792/ Yasmin Wills: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yasmin-wills-b72535146/ Nick Richmond: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickgmrichmond/ Helen Blanchard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenblanchard21/ More from Tricordant:Website: https://www.tricordant.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo2WP_UCnm-tszOIc87O36QLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tricordant-ltd/Email: office@tricordant.com Follow the Podcast:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/delivery-by-design/id1884004753Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1FZ3DP0DcivWcXv8bJH3Hw?si=64f2414b3fbd44cc
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    44 min
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